JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — There is a heavy police presence near San Pablo Road South and Atlantic Boulevard.
A viewer sent Action News Jax a video showing the parking lot of the Walmart Neighborhood Market roped off with crime scene tape.
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The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office shared the following update at 3 p.m.:
“We continue working an incident involving an armed barricaded man behind the Walmart at San Pablo Road and Atlantic Boulevard. There is no danger or threat to the public; however, the large police presence is impacting traffic. At this time, only police and emergency vehicles are allowed near the intersection. Please take an alternate route and be patient with other drivers on the road.
“The active scene is near Alimacani Elementary School. To reiterate, no students or staff members are in danger. The school has already shared details with families on how to pick up their students using Beach Boulevard to access the campus.
“Some shoppers in the area are being held inside the nearby stores for their safety at this time.
“We will share more details here as the incident continues and when the intersection reopens.
“We have significant resources working this situation to bring it to a peaceful ending.
“We are working closely with DCPS Police, JFRD, and other public safety partners.”
Duval County Public Schools sent the following initial message to families about the lockout:
“Hello Alimacani Elementary School families. Students and staff are safe. The school is on a lockout as a precaution due to police activity in the area. No one is allowed to leave or enter campus. Stand by for future updates.”
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DCPS also shared a follow-up with Alimacani families about traffic, since San Pablo and Atlantic remains closed:
“Hello again, Alimacani Elementary families,
“Students and staff remain safe, and we want to provide an important traffic update. Police have confirmed that San Pablo Road at Atlantic Boulevard is currently closed due to ongoing police activity in the neighborhood. At this time, the only way to access the school and San Pablo Road is via Beach Boulevard.
“To help minimize the impact of heavy congestion, we are opening early dismissal. If you are able to pick up your child early, we ask that you do two things:
- First, if your student is in PreK or CSS, please use the front loop. All other families should use the car line.
- Second, please use PikMyKid to schedule your dismissal time.
“We will have front office and security teams outside working to facilitate the early dismissal process. Thank you for your patience and continued support as we work to keep our students and staff safe.”
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JSO is asking people to avoid the area for the time being.
Action News Jax will update this story with the latest information as soon as it becomes available.
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