COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – A teen in Columbia County was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer on Monday morning after he was accused of nearly hitting a deputy with a pickup truck during an incident that led to the lockdown of Lake City schools.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), during school arrival time Monday morning, a school resource deputy assigned to Columbia High School saw a silver pick-up truck speeding and driving recklessly on campus. The deputy, who was on foot, tried to get the driver’s attention to slow the vehicle down. While doing so, the driver of the truck, later identified as a 15-year-old, swerved the truck in the deputy’s direction and appeared to attempt to strike the deputy, according to CCSO. The teen then drove off.
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A short time later, the suspect’s truck was found at a home near the intersection of SE Baker Avenue and SE Pennsylvania Street. It was also then learned that a disturbance involving a firearm possibly occurred near this same area earlier this morning, CCSO said, directly across from Richardson Sixth Grade Academy.
The front door to the residence was open and attempts were made to call out any occupants of the home, CCSO said. After those attempts failed, the CCSO SWAT team was utilized to make entry into the home where the 15-year-old was located and detained without further incident.
During the search, Columbia High School was temporarily placed on limited movement and since the suspect’s home was located so close to Richardson Sixth Grade Academy and Melrose Elementary, those schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution, CCSO said. There were no other known threats to these, or any other schools associated with this event, and the deputy involved in the initial incident was not hurt, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
“I want to thank our deputies as well as the Lake City Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, and school officials for all working together to resolve this matter so quickly,” said Sheriff Mark Hunter. “Our close partnerships are an invaluable part in keeping our schools and community safe.”
