Man with knife prompts lockdown at Lone Star Elementary

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrest 24-year-old suspect 2 blocks from school

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police took a man with a knife into custody near Lone Star Elementary on Monday afternoon.

The school was placed on Code-Red lockdown about 2:45 p.m. and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office was given a very detailed description of a suspect.

Jeffery Shurley, 24, was taken into custody about two blocks away from the school, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Witnesses told Channel 4 an intruder was trying to get into the school, but he did not gain access to the building and there were no injuries.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Jeffery Shurley

Police said officers were told a dispute occurred between Shurley (pictured in booking photo) and individuals in the school parking lot.

Responding officers said they found a black knife in the Shurley's right pocket. The knife was a single blade, flip-out style with a circular loop attached on the end.

A witness told police he saw Shurley lift up his shirt while arguing with people at the school in the bus loading zone and show what appeared to the man to be the handle of a black handgun. Another witness said Shurley raised what appeared to be a gun and waved it around, then said, "I got a 9."

Shurley told police he had a marker in his right pocket, not a gun. He said he "may have let the individuals think he had a gun, but he did not," according to a police report. Police said no marker was found.

Channel 4 went Monday night to an address listed for Shurley. A woman living in the home, Maria Aguilar, told Channel 4 Shurley lives in the woods next to their home and that they were helping him get back on his feet.

"He was having some issues with society and getting along in life, helping him get along with that," said Aguilar.

Aguilar said she didn't know why Shurley ended up at Lone Star Elementary Monday afternoon.

"He's really sweet, trying best he can. We support him, we're behind him," said Aguilar.

Shurley was arrested on a charge of trespassing on school property with a weapon, a felony. He is expected to face a judge Tuesday.


About the Author:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.