JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Day two of extra security measures are in place Thursday at Mandarin Middle School, according to Duval County Public Schools.
On Wednesday, DCPS sent a message to Atlantic Coast High and Mandarin Middle School families regarding five guns that were allegedly stolen from three students who attended the schools.
In an update from DCPS Thursday, the school district says "all three suspects are accounted for," as police are now in contact with them and their families while continuing the investigation.
According to a heavily redacted Jacksonville Sheriff's Office report, a woman said someone broke into her safe Sunday that had multiple firearms inside. She told officers she was in the hospital with her husband at the time, the report said. Officers noted the "safe" where the firearms were found consisted of "a normal closet with a door handle that allows it to be unlocked using a fingerprint and a digital keypad."
Later in the report, a witness said three suspects fled the area in an unknown direction on foot and believed they may have called an Uber.
The DCPS message to families Thursday also included saying that the students identified and accused of being involved in the crime, "will not be permitted back to school pending the outcome of the investigation."
"Third, in an abundance of caution and because the investigation is ongoing, we will continue with screening and backpack checks at Mandarin Middle tomorrow," DCPS said in the message Thursday. "Atlantic Coast will continue using its Evolv weapons detectors, which is a normal practice."
DCPS says additional police officers are at both schools Thursday morning, too.
"As we have stated previously, we want to keep you informed on the situation and the steps we are taking to maintain a safe environment at these two schools," DCPS said in the message Thursday. "We appreciate your patience and understanding as we take these steps in the interest of student and staff safety. Thanks again, and have a good evening. Good-bye," the message concluded.
Editor's note: The YouTube video below is from a newscast on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
