Jersey City police say that three parents have been arrested after an altercation between them set off lockdowns at two area schools.

The fight happened outside of Public School No. 3 and Middle School No. 4. Police say that it involved both parents and students and that one parent brandished a handgun, while another used a Taser.

“There were parents crying. It was kind of serious,” said one Jersey City resident. “They weren’t letting anyone out.”

Parents tell News 12 New Jersey that their children were sending them text messages during the lockdown. The students were telling their parents that they were scared. Many of the parents came to the school to get their kids.

"I'm going to take [my daughter] out because even if I let her stay, she's going to panic. She's scared. So how will she understand whatever the teacher says?” says parent Yeziahley Delay.

The man accused of showing the gun, who is not yet identified, is facing charges that include aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child.

Several people told News 12 they were not pleased that they weren't alerted by the school via email or phone call about what was happening.

"I don't like how I have to get a text from my sibling instead of the school,” says Angel West. “They send out voice messages saying they're late or didn't come to school today, but they didn't send one saying, ‘Oh, there is danger on the grounds of the school?’”

The school lockdowns have since been lifted. It was not clear what sparked the fight.