JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – At least one stray bullet shattered the window of a Northwest Jacksonville elementary school classroom Wednesday as students were taking their Florida Standards Assessment tests.
The principal of Saint Clair Evans Academy on Moncrief Road alerted parents that the school was placed on Code Red lockdown because of gunfire nearby. Three of those bullets came through the classroom.
According to Jacksonville police, the gunshots were first reported on West 41st Street, which is several blocks away from the school. Evidence technicians could be seen in the area of West 44th Street and Dodge Road, which is only a block from the school.
According to a police report, the gunfire was detected by ShotSpotter, the high-tech microphones around the city that alert the Sheriff's Office to shootings. When investigators arrived, they found a car with bullet holes and the shattered school window.
They did not find a gun, but bullet casings at two locations appeared to indicate an exchange of gunfire.
In the process of the investigation, officers stopped four men and questioned them about their possible involvement, but no one was arrested.
Principal Lawanda Polydore assured parents that no students or staff were injured by the gunshots. She said the class of third-grade students had just finished taking the exam, therefore testing was not affected.
According to Polydore, all teachers, faculty and staff members did what they're trained to do to keep the students safe. The school was back in session on Thursday, but News4Jax was told the incident had a noticeable effect on attendance.
Shania Buck said her heart dropped when she heard of the alert.
"I am ready to get out of this neighborhood," Buck said. "It's just crazy. It's just sad that something like this even happens."
VIDEOS: Parents on edge after learning bullets came through classroom |
Gunfire near Saint Clair Evans Academy detected by ShotSpotter
Shaianne Mitchell, who picked up her first-grader Wednesday, said she moved to Jacksonville from North Carolina three months ago. She was shocked to hear the message from the school principal.
"I am really wanting to change my son's school," Mitchell said. "This is not what I was expecting."
The school will provide counseling to support the students and the teachers in that classroom and any other students who may be emotionally impacted, Polydore said.
The school remained on Code Yellow lockdown through the afternoon but that lockdown was lifted and school dismissed regularly at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Students who normally walk home were escorted to their neighborhoods by officers and school staff members, Polydore said.
