FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — A man who police say had several weapons on the campus Friday morning of Fernandina Beach Middle School is under arrest, police say.
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The Fernandina Beach Police Department said in a news release that Ralph Suarez, 68, is charged with:
- Exhibiting a weapon on school property
- Armed trespass on school property
- False report of bomb threats
- Resisting arrest
The resource officer assigned to FBMS “was notified of a suspicious person and vehicle on campus,” the release said.
The release said that Suarez “was in possession of several weapons including a compound bow with arrows and knives.”
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Suarez was confronted in the parking lot by the resource officer and “a physical struggle ensued” and Suarez
Police said it is not known at this time what Suarez’s intentions were on campus.
During the incident, FBMS was placed on a lockdown, the Nassau County School District said.
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The following message was sent to FBMS families, as well as families of neighboring Fernandina Beach High School, through their FOCUS accounts:
“On Friday, October 2nd, Fernandina Beach Middle School was placed in a brief lockdown after an individual attempted to access campus in a manner that posed a safety threat. The individual was apprehended by law enforcement in the school parking lot before entering the campus.
“Once law enforcement confirmed there was no longer a threat, the lockdown was lifted and normal school operations resumed.
“Thank you for your continued support.”
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