Sighting of gunman puts 3 schools in lockdown
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After interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence at the scene, the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office said Wednesday’s sighting of a gunman near three Mechanicsville schools was most likely someone firing a CO2 powered pellet rifle at plastic bottles hanging from a tree. “While the evidence strongly suggests this scenario,� Sgt. Chris Whitley said, “the Sheriff ’s Office would like to encourage the individual who was in this area today [Wednesday, March 28] to contact the Sheriff ’s Office immediately at 365-6110 in an effort to resolve this matter and put the community’s concerns to rest.� At 12:34 p.m. Wednesday, the Sheriff ’s Office received a call about “a possible weapons violation on the property of the Atlee Recreation Center involving a white male possibly driving a white car with a weapon pointed in the direction of Atlee Station Road. While en route, our officers called ahead to school resource officers to alert them. It was in relatively close proximity to the schools.� The man was seen at the Atlee Recreation
Center, which is located near Atlee High School, Chickahominy Middle School and Cool Spring Elementary School. “While the evidence in this case indicates that no students or other citizens were ever in any danger,� Whitley added, “the Sheriff ’s Office would like to extend its appreciation to the citizen who took the initiative to contact the Sheriff ’s Office regarding this incident.� “Without question, the Sheriff ’s Office would encourage anyone who observes this or any other suspicious activity to report it immediately so an appropriate law enforcement response can be provided,� he said. “In the meantime,� he continued, “the Sheriff ’s Office would like to reassure Hanover County students, parents, school personnel and residents that we will continue to maintain a strong presence in and around all of our schools so as to ensure their safety and security.� Deputies arrived at the schools at 12:37 p.m. While en route, school resource officers were contacted as was the administration of Hanover County Public Schools. The three schools were see LOCKDOWN, pg. 8
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The Mechanicsville Local
April 4, 2012