A reported active shooter situation in Tamaqua wasn't resolved to anyone's satisfaction on Tuesday morning.

Police, including a K-9 unit, scoured the South Ward for about 90 minutes looking for a heavy set black man, wearing dark clothing and a mask or do rag, after a resident called to report shots fired at 8:15 a.m.The suspect wasn't found, but after extensive interviews and lots of leg work, Tamaqua Chief of Police Rick Weaver made the decision to call off the search at 9:47 a.m.The caller to the Schuylkill County Communications Center said a heavy set man had just fired a shot at another man on Cherry Street in Tamaqua. The shooter was reportedly black, while his target was described as a tall, slender white male. The two men had exchanged words before the shot rang out. The shooter continued north on Cherry Street, toward Mahanoy Street, according to the witness, while the victim walked toward Spruce Street.Tamaqua patrolman Rick Bekesy was the first officer on scene and found a crowd of people gathered at Cherry and Spruce streets. There were conflicting reports, as some of the people said there were two shooters - the second a tall, slender black male.Within minutes, police officers from throughout Schuylkill and Carbon counties, as well as Pennsylvania State Police, converged on the area and began a grid search. Comm center dispatchers contacted local schools and day care centers, advising them to lock down their buildings. Police also went door to door to Tamaqua businesses within the search area, updating them of the situation.Officers were able to locate the man reported to be the intended target. He appeared to be under the influence of drugs and denied being part of any attempted shooting.Police continued searching. At one point, dozens of officers surrounded a vacant building on Hunter Street. With no new leads and no "victim," Chief Weaver called an end to the exhaustive search.Schools were updated on the situation. Tamaqua Superintendent Raymond J. Kinder said, "Procedures were put in place to restrict access to and from the buildings in order to provide the safest environment possible. At approximately 9:50 a.m, Tamaqua Police gave an all-clear signal and the lockdown was ended. We appreciate the cooperation of all students, parents, faculty and staff during this incident. Additionally, we acknowledge the support and communication provided by local and state authorities.""We will stay alert, but, without a victim the case becomes a summary offense of shots fired within the borough's boundaries," Weaver said.