'Suspicious person' at Millennium Collegiate Academy prompts lockdown at several schools

Airsoft gun, magazine found on campus

TAMARAC, Fla. – Reports of a suspicious person seen near the portables at Millennium Collegiate Academy in Tamarac prompted the lockdown of several schools, the school's principal told parents Thursday morning. 

The principal of the school at 5803 NW 94th Ave. said all students were safe and accounted for.

Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Joy Oglesby confirmed that authorities were initially told that someone was possibly armed on campus. She said deputies set up a perimeter and secured the 6-12 school. 

According to Oglesby, an airsoft gun and magazine were found on the school's campus. The school was cleared at 1:50 p.m. 

Sky 10 was above the scene shortly before 11 a.m. as parents from Millennium and the nearby Challenger Elementary School, which was also placed on lockdown, were parking on the side of a nearby field. A group of parents could be seen speaking with deputies. 

"They're clearing all the rooms, making sure everyone is good, all the kids are safe, everybody is accounted for, and we're just waiting for them to clear the building, at which time we'll start to reunify the children with parents," Tamarac spokesman Van Schoen said.  

One parent told Local 10 News that he was more on edge ever since the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. 

Sunrise police said several schools in their city were also placed on lockdown because of the incident, including Discovery Elementary, West Pine Middle, Banyan Elementary, Village Elementary and Franklin Academy. Police said all Sunrise school lockdowns were lifted about 1 p.m.

Authorities said there was no active threat to students or staff members and the lockdowns were all precautionary. 

Oglesby said detectives are still investigating the incident to find out who brought the airsoft gun and magazine on campus. 


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.