JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A suspicious man with a bat and knife was arrested outside Lake Shore Middle on Monday’s first day of school, police said.
School officials sent parents a communication Monday saying school police identified the person as neither a parent nor a staff member, but apprehended him before he could interact with anyone or enter the school.
The man, Christopher Coppock, 31, was charged with weapons possession, and trespass
“Thankfully, our security procedures worked as intended,” said DCPS communications coordinator Sonya Duke-Bolden. “The individual was prevented from gaining access to our campus.”
Police said a school safety officer saw the man with a bat in his hand “who appeared to be angry.” He saw the man coming from the gym entrance door with a backpack.
After a search, a knife longer than five inches was found in the backpack.
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The communication to parents said the individual did not have interaction with students or gain access to the school.
“I am grateful for the swift actions of our security personnel and for the safety measures we have in place, which included locked doors and controlled access points (that) helped keep our students and staff safe,” the letter Monday to parents said.
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