SJPD searching for armed man who escaped barricaded house

SAN JOSE (KGO) -- Authorities say they have cleared a home where a man with a gun was thought to be held up with at least seven children.

Just before 7 a.m., a south San Jose neighborhood filled with police officers and the SWAT team, was jolted by two explosions.

Members of the MERGE unit fired off two flash grenades inside a Hayes Avenue house and went inside.

They were being extra careful because 9 hours earlier police were called to the location for a report of a man in the street with a gun next to a child.

A man, woman and seven children between the ages of 1 and 13 were found in the home.

But before the investigation was over, police had to make sure no one was hiding inside.

"Our MERGE unit's on scene. They're doing a slow search of the residence and when they're done and they're cleared, they'll give us an update," explained Sgt. Heather Randol with the San Jose Police Department.

In the end, no suspect or gun was found. And no one has been injured.

Police were still on the scene several hours after the raid conducting their follow-up investigation.

Meanwhile, across the street, the principal of Oak Grove High School closed the school until after the police action was finished.

So the 1,900 students started class at 9:15 a.m., the start 3rd period. Many parents said the principal made the right call.

"Of course, Oak Grove is an awesome school and the principal is great. I think she did the right thing," said parent Latria Thomas.

Police believe the suspect must have slipped out before police arrived Tuesday night.