BALDWIN, Fla. – A reported assault by a person armed with a weapon at a Kwik Mart at U.S. 301 and Beaver Street and a manhunt for the suspect prompted a code red lockdown Wednesday morning at two schools in Baldwin.
Jacksonville police are still looking for the person they say went to the Baldwin business Wednesday morning with a gun.
A worker at the Kwik Mart told News4JAX a man was arguing with someone else in the parking lot and seemed distraught earlier this morning. The worker said they went out and tried to diffuse the situation, but that led to them getting into a heated argument with the man.
The worker said the man threatened them and then left, heading across the street to the Hawkins Motel, where police believe he was staying.
The worker said a little bit later, they saw the man walking back toward the Kwik Mart carrying an assault-style weapon.
That worker locked the doors and another employee pressed a silent alarm to alert police. The worker said the man never tried to get inside the convenience store and eventually walked away down U.S. 301 north with someone else.
That kicked off a big search by land and air before 8 a.m. that sparked the lockdowns at Mamie Agnes Jones Elementary and Baldwin Middle-Senior High. The lockdowns were reduced to code yellow just after 8:15 a.m. and lifted completely just before 9 a.m.
Parents were sent a message from the district just before 9 a.m. that both schools were back to normal operating status.
“It is now all clear at both schools,” the message to parents said. “Thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation this morning, as we will always take these kinds of measures to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Thanks again and have a great rest of your day.”
During the code yellow, families of students at the elementary school had been asked not to let their children walk to school because of the police situation in the area.
And initially, during the code red, even car riders were told to stay home “until further notice.”
Police were able to confirm that what had been reported originally as gunfire was actually someone at a construction site using a nail gun. That person was asked to stop until the situation was resolved.
It appeared the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office had someone in custody on Franklin Street, about half a mile north of the gas station. But police said they have not made any arrests connected to the incident at the gas station.
Police said they are looking for the man at the center of this and believe he is with another person, but JSO does not know if that person was involved.