A man carrying a large axe attempted to gain entry to an elementary school on Friday and was shot by officers.
According to police, on Friday around 2:50 pm., police say the unidentified man, attempted to gain entry to Ruth N. Upson Elementary School in Jacksonville.
Duval County Police Chief Greg Burton said the man then left the campus and was later shot by a DCPS officer after refusing commands to drop his weapon.
School security saw the man on surveillance footage trying to enter the building, then going to a second set of doors, officials said.
The doors were locked under safety protocols of the school district. The building was put into lockdown and parents were sent a troubling alert about a “suspicious person allegedly carrying an axe,” News 4 reported.
In the news: Texas Roofing Contractor Arrested In Florida Without State License
“Police officers from the Duval County School Police Department were on the way. As the subject then left the school, he made his way towards a church where he was then encountered by the police officers,” DCPS Police Chief Greg Burton said. “As the subject came towards one of the police officers, the officers gave him verbal warnings to drop the axe, kept giving him verbal warnings to drop the ax.
“At that time, the subject threatened the officer with the axe. The subject then was shot at least one time as the officer discharged his service weapon,” said Burton.
The lockdown was eventually lifted for dismissal. Students who attend after-school care were held in the school’s media center until pickup, according to reports.
Chief Burton said the man was listed in critical condition.
“Working together, everyone saved the day.” – according to Greg Burton, chief of the county’s public schools police.
Visit Tampafp.com for Politics, Sports, and National Headlines. Support journalism by clicking here to our GiveSendGo or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook Here Or Twitter Here.
Copyright 2022 The Free Press, LLC, tampafp.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.