SANFORD, Fla. – A student was shot near Seminole High School Wednesday afternoon, prompting officials to place that school and Millennium Middle School on lockdown, according to the Sanford Police Department.
Police responded at 1:22 p.m. Wednesday to 911 calls reporting a shooting that happened on Ridgewood Avenue, near Seminole High School, the department said.
Officers found a juvenile victim who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Police said he was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The shooting took place in the vicinity of several school buses and students leaving the school campus. Police said a bus with 25 students was in close proximity where the shooting took place, but no one on the bus was injured as a result of the shooting.
"There was quite a bit of traffic, vehicle traffic, in and out of this roadway and also pedestrian traffic and the bus was going at a slow rate of speed down the road and was in close proximity to where the shooting took place," Sanford police spokeswoman Bianca Gillett said.
Sanford police identified the suspect as Jaquan Alexander Grant, 16. He originally eluded authorities, but was located shortly after 5 p.m. not far from the scene, officials said. Police announced his arrest at 5:15 p.m., several hours after the shooting.
Grant was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, police said.
Grant's family told News 6 his parents learned that he was wanted by police and they called Sanford police to turn him in. They said a Sanford police officer arrived and took him into custody.
"Officers were working out here diligently with the investigation. It was a very active area," Gillett said. "We had a lot of cooperation from students here today and assisting us with this investigation."
"At the recent town hall meetings regarding our school's safety, there was a continued focus on agencies working together, utilizing available resources and following emergency operating procedures," Chief Cecil Smith said in a statement. "Today's incident, though unfortunate, was a testament to how effective those procedures are and how seamlessly our local agencies work together during critical times."
Grant and the victim are registered students in the Seminole County school system, according to Sanford police, but officials did not say which schools they attend.
Investigators are not releasing a motive for the shooting, but Grant's family told News 6 he was jumped by a group of teenagers at the school Tuesday and beat up.
They insisted, however, that he was not at the school Wednesday and he had nothing to do with the shooting.
Officials announced the code red on Twitter for the high school at 1:45 p.m. The code red for the middle school was announced at 2:12 p.m. The lockdowns at both schools were lifted at 2:52 p.m.
Sanford police said the shooting was an isolated incident and there was never an active shooter situation.
Parents who would like to pick up their children may do so from the Live Oak entrance. All extracurricular activities at the schools have been canceled.
Seminole County Public Schools Superintendent Walt Griffin issued a statement about the shooting.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of a shooting just outside of our Seminole High campus this afternoon. Our thoughts and condolences are with the victim's family during this difficult time," Griffin said. "No other injuries have been reported and students on campus are safe. Seminole High and Millennium Middle are currently on a Code Red lockdown out of an abundance of caution."
Griffin asked for patience as law enforcement and emergency personnel continue to investigate.
"This means traffic on and off campus will be halted and buses will be delayed from leaving," Griffin said. "We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but know that the safety and well-being of our students is our utmost concern."
Griffin promised to send parents more information as soon as it becomes available.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sanford Police Department or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477) or visit crimeline.org. Police said calls made to Crimeline remain anonymous and tips to Crimeline that lead to solving a felony case are eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
Several other incidents were reported at schools across Central Florida Wednesday, although there is no indication that they are related.
Eight students were injured in a fight at Meadow Woods Middle School, a noose was found hanging outside Gotha Middle School and a threat was found written in a Timber Creek High School bathroom stall.
