At least one stray bullet shattered the window of a Northwest Jacksonville elementary school classroom Wednesday as students were taking their Florida Standards Assessment tests.
Our News4Jax partner reports the principal of Saint Clair Evans Academy on Moncrief Road alerted parents that the school was placed on Code Red lockdown because of gunfire nearby. Three of those bullets came through the classroom.
According to Jacksonville police, the gunshots were first reported on West 41st Street, which is several blocks away from the school. Evidence technicians could be seen in the area of West 44th Street and Dodge Road, which is only a block from the school.
Police said two individuals were detained and no one at the school was hurt.
Principal Lawanda Polydore also assured parents that no students or staff were injured by the gunshots. She said the class of third grade students had just finished taking the exam, therefore testing was not affected.
According to Polydore, all teachers, faculty and staff members did what they're trained to do to keep the students safe. School was scheduled to be back in session on Thursday.
The school will provide counseling to support the students and the teachers in that classroom and any other students who may be emotionally impacted, Polydore said.
The school remained on Code Yellow lockdown through the afternoon but that lockdown was lifted and school dismissed regularly at 2:45 p.m.
Students who normally walk home were escorted to their neighborhoods by officers and school staff members, Polydore said.
