Lafayette police are investigating a possible attempted child abduction that happened at about 4:15 p.m. Monday  near Avalon Avenue and Shallot Circle.

A man got out of a blue or gray minivan and approached two girls, ages 8 and 11, according to Lafayette police. The man made a comment about "stepping in blood" to the girls, who were talking about walking in the mud, and said that he had "never hurt anyone around here before," police said.

The girls told police that they ran and the man lunged at them, but he didn't chase them.

The man is described as being in his mid- to late 40s, about 5-feet, 9-inches tall and with short gray hair and a long gray beard. He was wearing black pants, a black T-shirt and black boots.

Police are asking other potential victims or witnesses to call Sgt. Brian Rosipajla at 303-665-5571.