BUSHNELL, Fla. – Three Sumter County schools were temporarily placed on a “shelter in place” status Tuesday afternoon after a suspicious person was spotted walking around Bushnell, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
The man was wearing a ski mask and carrying a large object, walking toward County Road 48 near West Street deputies said on social media. A citizen sent pictures of the man to the sheriff’s office.
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Later, the sheriff’s office said the man, identified as Chase Lovett, 28, was located trespassing on CSX property armed with a rifle.
Lovett faces charges of armed trespassing and will be booked into the Sumter County Detention Center, officials said.
South Sumter High School, Sumter Prep Academy and Bushnell Elementary were placed on a shelter-in-place status “out of an abundance of caution,” deputies said.
There was no threat to the schools, but there was large enforcement activity in the area, according to deputies.
The status was later lifted.
If you know the subject or have any information, please contact the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office 352-793-2621.
