Lockdown Lifted at 18 Area Schools

Update Sept. 6 1:28 p.m.: With a suspect now in police custody, Hillsborough County has ended the modified lockdown on 18 campuses in the North Tampa area.

Earlier:

Hillsborough County Public Schools has decided to place a number of North Tampa area schools on modified lockdown Sept. 6 as the search for an armed man accused in several home invasions and sexual batteries continues.

“The first schools placed on modified lockdown are located in the USF area, in the area where the crimes were reported,” an email from the school district stated. “Now several schools in the New Tampa area also have been placed in modified lockdown in an abundance of caution.”

A modified lockdown means that classes continue, but outdoor activities are suspended.

At this time, these schools are included in the modified lockdown:

• MOSI
• Bowers Whitley
• Pizzo Elementary
• USF Patel
• Muller Elementary
• Witter Elementary
• Turner Elementary
• Bartels Middle School
• Pride Elementary
• Clark Elementary
• Wharton High School
• Heritage Elementary
• Benito Middle School
• Hunters Green Elementary
• Liberty Middle School
• Freedom High School
• Chiles Elementary
• Tampa Palms Elementary

For more details about the manhunt that prompted the lockdown,check out this story on New Tampa Patch.

Stay with Patch for updates as they become available.