News Summary
On March 14, 2025, Paxon School for Advanced Studies and James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School in Jacksonville were placed under lockdown and lockout due to an ongoing police investigation of a nearby suicidal individual. The safety of students and staff was prioritized as local authorities conducted thorough searches, ultimately assuring families that no immediate threat existed. Communication with parents was maintained throughout the event, emphasizing the community’s support during such challenging circumstances.
Jacksonville Schools Under Lockout as Police Respond to Neighborhood Incident
In a surprising turn of events, Jacksonville witnessed a tense morning on Friday, March 14, 2025, as two local schools, Paxon School for Advanced Studies and James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School, were placed on high alert due to police activity in their surrounding neighborhoods. The swift actions taken by both institutions were part of ensuring the safety of their students and staff during this serious situation.
What Happened?
The situation unfolded around 8 a.m. when the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) began an investigation into an incident involving a suicidal individual who had not yet been located. Initially, Paxon School was put on a lockdown, a measure that restricts movement within the school, while the nearby James Weldon Johnson was placed under a lockout. This means that although classes continued, no one was allowed to enter or exit the school premises.
Safety Protocols in Place
As a precautionary step, a thorough search was conducted within Paxon High School. The JSO communicated that they did not believe the individual was inside the school and were focused on surrounding areas to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) took the initiative to inform parents that both students and staff were safe, assuring them that all necessary precautions were being followed.
Gradual Shift to Lockout
Around 11 a.m., in light of the ongoing investigation, the lockdown status for Paxon was transitioned to a lockout for the rest of the school day. This change aimed to reassure families while maintaining safety measures. JSO clarified that, based on their assessment, the individual in question did not pose a threat to harm others.
Community Support
During this stressful situation, DCPS expressed gratitude for the understanding and support from families. While being vigilant about safety, the school district worked diligently to keep lines of communication open, updating parents about the status of their children and the safety measures being implemented.
What’s Next?
As of now, JSO has conducted extensive searches of Paxon High School and its surrounding areas but have found no evidence that the individual was nearby. Despite the initial alarm, it has been reassuring for families knowing that the authorities are taking these safety precautions seriously.
Conclusion
As the day progressed, the atmosphere began to normalize, thanks to the prompt response from law enforcement and school officials. For both Paxon and James Weldon Johnson, ensuring the safety of students and staff is a top priority, and this incident only emphasizes the importance of community vigilance and cooperation in times of uncertainty.
Parents, students, and staff can rest easy knowing that procedures are in place, and that their safety is paramount. Everyone is looking forward to returning to normalcy, carrying with them the assurance that the community supports each other, especially in challenging times.
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Additional Resources
- Action News Jax: Jacksonville Schools Lockout
- News 4 Jax: Police Activity Prompts Lockdown
- KARK: Homer Adkins Elementary Lockdown
- First Coast News: Westside High School Lockdown
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
