Highway Patrol explains circumstances surrounding school lockdown
ABC 17 News has confirmed a lockdown has been lifted at a Callaway County elementary school.
On Friday ABC 17 News confirmed the Highway Patrol clarified how the suspect walked away from medical crews on the way to Columbia. Troopers first arrested him for drugs and DWI on I-70 Thursday morning at the 172 mile marker, near the Montgomery City exit.
While he was in the Montgomery County jail, he complained of medical issues. At that point, he was released from custody. There were no officers in the ambulance because he was no longer under arrest. He wanted to get out, before he walked away on foot after exiting near Millersburg, by the 137 mile marker. The patrol says the driver was not assaulted or threatened, and they are not actively looking for the man.
Hatton-McCredie Elementary School was placed under lockdown around 12:50 p.m. Thursday, and lifted by 2:20 p.m. The Callaway County sheriff’s office made the decision only as a precaution based on the limited information that was available.
The school is near the 144 mile marker on I-70.
Authorities searched the area for the man who fled, but were not able to locate him as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
They believe the man is not likely in the immediate area.
Stay with ABC 17 News and abc17news.com for the latest on this developing story.
