SOUTHWEST RANCHES, Fla. — Two private schools in Broward County were temporarily placed on lockdown Wednesday morning due to what the Broward Sheriff’s Office described as a “federal immigration matter” in the area.
According to BSO, law enforcement officials were in the area near Archbishop McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches and the church, The Pentecostals of Cooper City, following a traffic stop that “resulted in a federal immigration matter.”
The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that the driver fled the scene after the traffic stop and remains at large.
Local 10 later learned that the traffic stop involved a landscaping truck.
“I was up at like 7:30 and I heard all the sirens and everything,” witness Emily Smith said. “Just a whole bunch of cops lined up out here.”
Deputies said aviation units were among the resources deployed to assist in the matter.
The Archdiocese of Miami confirmed that both Archbishop McCarthy High School and St. Marks Catholic School were placed on lockdown as a precaution, due to the police activity nearby, but the lockdowns have since been lifted.
Residents in the area told Local 10’s Roy Ramos that ICE agents searched through their community with K-9s.
No other details about the incident were immediately released.
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