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Suspicious visitor prompts lockdown at schools

A search helicopter circled over three schools in search of a boy who allegedly had a gun.

By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Published January 10, 2006

TAMPA - Three Hillsborough County schools were in lockdown for two hours Tuesday afternoon after someone reported seeing someone with a gun near Caminiti Exceptional School.

Twin Lakes Elementary, Caminiti and North Tampa Alternative schools kept students in their classes and barred people from entering or exiting the building from 1:15 p.m. until giving the all-clear at 3:25 p.m.

A search helicopter circled overhead as sheriff's deputies on the ground sought a boy described as 13 to 15 years old, with a dark complexion, about 5-foot-5. He was reported to be wearing a white T-shirt, baggy jeans and corn rows hair style. Someone affiliated with Caminiti reported seeing such a person in front of the school, a gun at his side, a sheriff's spokeswoman said.

Linda Cobbe, spokeswoman for Hillsborough County schools, said the lockdown did not affect dismissal at Caminiti or North Tampa because students there are normally released after 3:25 p.m.

But the car line for parents picking up students at Twin Lakesnear Waters Ave. and N. Armenia Ave. was exceptionally long. Children there are typically released at 2:15 p.m.

Parents who came to the door of the school to pick up their children were allowed to get them after the lockdown was over. Children whose parents were in vehicles were escorted out of the building, Cobbe said.

Marcela Ramirez, 11, told her mom about the helicopter circling overheard as they were walking back to the car at 3:20 p.m. Marcela said that despite the commotion, she was never worried.

"We were all in the classroom, safe," she said.

Deputies did not locate the suspect, and had called off the helicopter search by 3:30 p.m.

[Last modified January 10, 2006, 18:34:59]