Palmcroft Elementary lockdown lifted, two suspects in custody
Two suspects are in custody following a lockdown at Palmcroft Elementary School Wednesday morning that has now been lifted, according to the Yuma Police Department.
Six hundred students were on lockdown for about 20 minutes after police said two seven-year-old boys were on their way to school when the unthinkable happened.
“While they were walking near 2800 block of 8th Avenue, they came across a male subject standing by a wall and the other male subject jumped over the wall, brandished a knife towards the students, threatened them to not say anything to anyone,” Sgt. Lori Frankin, with the Yuma Police Department.
YPD added that the two students then ran to the crossguard of the school and immediately asked for help. The boys helped police identify the suspects that led to their arrests.
“24-year-old male, Christopher Young, has been arrested for endangerment for aggravated assault and two misdemeanor charges,” said Franklin.
News 11 investigated the criminal history of Young and found his records date back to 2015. Young’s most recent convictions are tied with the possession or use of marijuana, theft, and drug possession. YPD confirms that officers originally responded to a burglary.
“Through the investigations and the interviews, it did not turn out to be a burglary. The resident was a relative of one of the suspects in custody,” said Franklin.
The other suspect, who was not identified by YPD, was charged with drug possession and was not involved in in the threat. His charges are being given to the County Attorney’s office for review.
YPD is still investigating the incident in further detail.
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