Disturbance call results in soft lock down in area schools

Ponte Vedra High School, Landrum Middle School, PVPV/Rawlings Elementary School and Ocean Palms Elementary School affected

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A brief and soft lock down occurred the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 4 at some Ponte Vedra Beach schools, according to St. Johns County Sheriff’s spokesman Chuck Mulligan.

The schools affected were Ponte Vedra High School, Landrum Middle School, PVPV/Rawlings Elementary School and Ocean Palms Elementary School. The decision was due to law enforcement activity in the area.

Mulligan told the Ponte Vedra Recorder the decision for a lock down was due to a call about trespassing, with the caller alerting police to a possible shooting or gun possession. The individual involved was stopped by the police and was fully cooperative. Mulligan said the police did not find evidence of a firearm, later concluding the individual had actually thrown a wristwatch at the residence. Mulligan also stated the individuals involved knew each other and the call was related to a prior disturbance the day before.

Given the proximity of the disturbance to the schools, the decision to lock down was given as, “an abundance of caution,” according to Mulligan, who cited the schools were not a component to the call. “Someone made a call concerning a gun and that heightens the awareness of everyone involved,” Mulligan said. The disturbance call was received at a subdivision near Nocatee Parkway.