Three schools in Gwinnett County, Georgia, were placed under lockdown on Thursday as police and US marshals searched for a murder suspect who was later taken into custody.
Kean Wiggins was being sought in connection with a homicide case in New York. Gwinnett County Police said he was captured after officers and marshals carried out a search in the Buford area.
Gwinnett schools placed under lockdown
Freeman’s Mill Elementary School, Mountain View High School and Twin Rivers Middle School were affected by the operation, according to Gwinnett County Public Schools.
The district said the police activity was not connected to the schools. Families at Mountain View were told that no one would be allowed to enter or leave while the lockdown was in force, although normal activities would continue inside.
Twin Rivers Middle School was evacuated as a precaution, with pupils moved to 12 Stone Church, while Freeman’s Mill Elementary and Mountain View High remained under a soft lockdown.
Police said they had been serving a warrant at a nearby home when Wiggins ran from the property and allegedly fired at officers. No injuries were reported. Authorities established a search perimeter and used drones and K-9 units during the operation.
New York homicide case
The US Marshals Service had been seeking Wiggins over the death of Shardonay Tyce, who was shot in Troy, New York, on May 6 and died from her injuries five days later.
A wanted notice said Wiggins faced a second-degree murder charge and a weapons offence. It described him as about 5ft 8in tall and weighing approximately 160lb, with tattoos on his neck, arm and hand, and warned that he could be armed and dangerous.
Braselton Highway was closed between Lena Carter Road and Old Peachtree Road during the search. Police urged drivers to avoid the area, while authorities said the investigation was continuing after Wiggins was taken into custody.
