Loaded firearm, knives, and ammo found at Sandalwood High School, per DCPS

Jacksonville, FL — Duval County School Police are investigating an incident that happened at Sandalwood High School on Thursday afternoon.

According to Duval County Public Schools, school security at Sandalwood High spotted two unauthorized individuals in the campus parking lot near a suspicious vehicle.

The school says school police responded and were able to detain one of those individuals. We're told that the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is currently searching for the other individual involved.

When school police conducted a search of that nearby area, the school says a loaded firearm was found. WOKV asked the district if this gun is linked to one of these two individuals and were told that is still being investigated.

Additionally, school police discovered knives and ammunition in the suspicious vehicle, which had been reported stolen.

The school was placed on lockdown during this investigation, but all students and staff remained safe.

READ: SANDALWOOD HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE TO PARENTS

Good Afternoon Saint Family

This is Dr. Hatcher with a Security Update. I want to make sure you are aware of anything that happens on our campus that may concern you as a parent.

First, we placed the school on a lockdown earlier today after our vigilant security team identified two unauthorized individuals on our campus who arrived in a suspicious vehicle.

School police responded and were able to detain one of those individuals.

While conducting a search of the area, school police located a loaded firearm on the campus.

Additionally, there were knives and ammunition found in the vehicle, which school police later learned was reported stolen.

This incident is being investigated by school police, and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is assisting with locating the second individual.

While I am thankful that students and staff remained safe and we were able to conduct a safe dismissal, this is not the news I wanted to share with you before you went into holiday break.

I am very disappointed that these individuals would threaten the safety of our children and staff, but am also incredibly thankful to our staff and security teams.

I also appreciate the quick response of law enforcement.

I understand any concerns you must have as part of our school community, and I want you to understand it is for these reasons that we practice and implement our security measures.

Thank you for your support and I wish you all a safe holiday break.