LAKESIDE - An attempted kidnapping has put East County parents and students on alert.
It happened Tuesday morning when a man tried to grab a boy who was walking near Lakeside Middle School. The kid was with a group and they all got away and told school officials.
"I'm gonna talk to my son to be extra vigilant and to stay in a group of people," parent Steve Dodge told NBC 7. "And if he has any problems, scream as loud as he can and fight."
Some students were a little a little shaken by the incident.
"Every time you leave your car you're like, is this the last time I'm gonna see my parents or will I be okay?" said Lakeside Middle School student Sakura Oaks. "It's always a mystery who's out there."
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is looking for the suspect. The attempted kidnapping appears to be an isolated incident.
Photo: Lakeside Union School District