Suspect in custody following threat that shut down Cape Coral schools

Published: Updated:
Lea este artículo en Noticias WINK
lockdown

Cape Coral police have announced they have a suspect in custody following a threat that shut down several schools in the city on Wednesday morning.

Cape Coral PD said that a student reported that a man dressed in camo made a bomb threat against the school.

A heavy police presence in Cape Coral resulted in several schools being locked down; after a search of the area and hours spent with children in classrooms, an early dismissal has now begun at the schools.

Cape Coral High School was the first school ordered to lockdown, which was announced at 8:35 a.m. Wednesday, then several schools were added to the list.

WINK News spoke to some parents near the school waiting to pick up their kids.

“I’m very nervous. I’m scared for my daughter and her safety. I’m in contact with her right now over the phone. They’re bunkered down, I just hope this ends quick,” said one parent.

“We’re all here, just freaking out,” said another parent.

The lockdowns were lifted about two hours later.

A student reportedly heard a man make a threat, and that student then told a school official, who contacted police.

The Lee County School District announced the following schools were additionally placed under lockdown as a precaution:

  • Patriot Elementary
  • Challenger Middle School
  • Heritage Charter Academy
  • Pelican Elementary
  • Skyline Elementary

The police presence was initially reported at around 8 a.m. due to police activity on at Santa Barbara Boulevard and Veterans Parkway.

Before the lockdowns were lifted, at around 10:30 a.m., the police quickly dispersed without explanation and whether there was a suspect in custody.

Several parents gathered near Cape Coral High, awaiting information from the District and law enforcement.

Parents were advised to stay away, as no one would be allowed to leave schools while in lockdown mode.

The school district stated students are safe within the classrooms during lockdown mode.

No injuries were reported.

Trafalgar Parkway, Skyline Boulevard, Santa Barbara Boulevard, and Veterans Parkway areas were closed while law enforcement investigated the scene.

WINK met with parent Emilee Tristan at Patriot Elementary School, who waiting outside with parents and kids.

“I got here, and I saw they weren’t letting anyone in, and it was just very shocking. I didn’t know what was going on until I went on Facebook,” Tristan said.

Just two blocks away, Skyline Elementary School was also on lockdown.

“I was afraid for the kids in school ’cause there’s too much school shootings going on, and we got to somehow we got to stop threats to our kids. That’s the main thing,” said James Murphy, parent.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.