PRESCOTT, AZ (CBS5) -
Detectives searching for a gunman who waved a semi-automatic handgun and threatened 52 members of the Peoria High School band during band camp in Prescott have narrowed their search to an area where they think he lives.
The gunman approached the group Wednesday at about 9:45 p.m. while they were practicing on the field at the Emmanuel Pines Camp in the 3000 block of Spence Springs Road.
According to Yavapai County sheriff's deputies, he ordered the group to "stop making noise. Morning and afternoon is OK, but nighttime is not."
Deputies said the man then turned to the band director and said, "Do we have an understanding?" The director acknowledged that he did, YCSO investigators said.
Throughout the incident, the man was brandishing a handgun and at times pointed the weapon directly at band students and staff, sheriff's deputies said. The man was on the field for about 45 seconds, then walked away and out of sight, YCSO said.
Band members were escorted from the field and placed on lockdown. Deputies searched the neighboring area but were not able to find the suspect. Deputies said they believe the man lives in the vicinity of the camp.
Counselors were sent to the camp after the incident for those students needing help, according to Peoria school spokeswoman Danielle Airey. The principal was on the phone Thursday morning with all the parents, alerting them and telling them the kids were coming home a day early, Airey said.
The gunman is described as in his 50s. He is about 6' tall with shorter gray hair. He was last seen wearing a gray basketball-type shorts with a stripe on the side and a red or salmon-colored polo shirt.
The suspect apparently spoke with an accent of some type, possibly British or a New York dialect, deputies said.
Detectives have submitted the security video to a state of the art processing lab in hopes of enhancing the images to high detail.
Detectives and deputies were in and around the campground on Saturday, following up on leads.
YCSO said if anyone can help identify or locate the suspect to call 928-771-3260 or report the information anonymously to Yavapai Silent Witness at 1800-932-3232.
Copyright 2012 CBS 5 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
© CBS 5
