Lockdown at Martin County High School Following Suspicious Individual Report
STUART, Florida — On Tuesday morning, Martin County High School experienced a lockdown after a teacher reported a suspicious individual on campus. The teacher observed an unfamiliar man carrying an object, initially described as a guitar case, which raised concern regarding safety.
Incident Overview
According to Major Ruben Romero from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the teacher had recently arrived at the school shortly before 8 a.m. when he noticed the older man walking across the campus.
Immediate Response
Worried about the man’s presence, the teacher activated the Centegix CrisisAlert system, an emergency protocol implemented in all schools within the district since 2021. This system allows staff members to alert law enforcement and initiate lockdowns simply by pressing a button on their identification cards.
Law Enforcement Action
Major Romero emphasized the efficiency of the response, highlighting that numerous deputies arrived at the scene within minutes. The man, later identified as Jeremy Scappaticcio, was apprehended shortly thereafter and charged with trespassing on school property. Law enforcement noted that Scappaticcio appeared to be intoxicated.
Details Surrounding the Incident
In an account provided by Major Romero, Scappaticcio expressed confusion, admitting, “Yeah, I just made the wrong turn, made the wrong choice,” acknowledging that he was aware he should not have been on school grounds. Upon further investigation, authorities confirmed that the object the teacher had seen was indeed an actual guitar, dispelling initial fears of a weapon being present.
Ensuring Campus Safety
Fortunately, it was determined that students and staff were never in any real danger during the incident. Major Romero praised the vigilance of the teacher for promptly reporting the suspicious behavior and utilizing the alert system effectively. He remarked, “We don’t know what anybody’s intent is when they’re near a school or what’s going on. So, our response is always going to be the same. We’re going to treat it high priority, and we’re going to respond and make sure the scene is safe.”
Conclusion
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of awareness in school settings and the effectiveness of emergency response systems. Thanks to the proactive actions of the staff, potential risks were swiftly addressed, ensuring the safety of all individuals on campus.
