West Forsyth High School was placed on lockdown Monday night following social media posts about a possible shooter at or near the school, though the domestic-related incident that sparked those rumors did not occur on campus.

Randal Dunford, 45 of Cumming, was charged with aggravated assault with a gun and battery under the family violence act almost exactly five hours after a search for him began Nov. 28, said Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Pete Sabella, a spokesman for the agency.

Dunford is being held at the Forsyth County Jail without bond.

Deputies began a search in the woods near the campus on Drew Road – after school activities were still going on – after a domestic dispute was called in about 5:45 p.m. Monday.

Dunford reportedly left the scene prior to deputies arriving at the location of the incident.

Sabella said the sheriff’s office placed four deputies on campus and issued the lockdown out of an abundance of caution in case Dunford came near or on the grounds and that students and anyone at the school were never in danger.

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Online editor Jim Dean and staff writer Isabel Hughes contributed to this report.