Chief Deputy Michael Edmondson of the DeKalb County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office said in a release today his office had arrested a young man who caused a lockdown at Sylvania School Tuesday by going there with what appeared to be firearm. Though the weapon upon investigation turned out to be a pellet gun, the young man remains in jail charged with criminal trespass.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, said the release, the sheriff’s office received a call from a teacher at Sylvania School concerning an unidentified male, unknown to the teachers, whom several students claimed appeared to have a firearm with him. A 911 call was placed and the faculty then placed students and the school on lockdown.
From the time of the call, the first officer was on scene within three minutes, said Edmondson’s release. Besides the sheriff’s office, the following agencies also responded: the Sylvania, Henagar, Rainsville and Fort Payne police departments, Alabama State Troopers, DeKalb County Drug Task Force and DeKalb County Special Response Team.
Along with law enforcement personnel, DeKalb County Superintendent Jason Barnett, DeKalb County School Board member Matt Sharp and Sylvania principal Wesley King also responded and stayed on scene to assist law enforcement until the subject was in custody.
When officers arrived, all buildings on school campus were searched and secured, with no intruder found. Once the scene was deemed safe, students were released to their parents. Law enforcement obtained a photo of the subject from the school surveillance system and released it to the public for assistance in identifying and locating the subject.
Calls were received almost immediately. From the tips received and subsequent investigation, police determined that the subject was Cole Joseph Barnes, 21, of Sylvania. Barnes was located at his residence on Blue Pond Boulevard in Sylvania, just a couple of miles from the school, and detained without incident for questioning.
During the subsequent investigation, it was determined that the firearm in question was actually a pellet pistol. Barnes was arrested and charged with criminal trespass 3rd, menacing, and disorderly conduct. Barnes is currently being held in the DeKalb County Detention Center awaiting bond.
Chief Edmondson commented: “We appreciate every agency that responded to assist at Sylvania School. We are thankful for a great working relationship with all surrounding agencies. The protection of our children is of the upmost importance to us at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.”
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