UPDATE: Peytona man arrested for making threats at Sherman Elementary School
by FRED PACE, EDITOR
Herman Dewayne Pickens
Herman Dewayne Pickens
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COMFORT -- Boone County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Herman Dewayne Pickens, 53, of Peytona Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, at approximately 10:30 a.m., according to a news release. Pickens was arrested for “Threats of Terrorist Acts” at Sherman Elementary School in Comfort. Deputies were made aware that Pickens had been in the school on several occasions and made specific threats concerning a firearm, to the staff of the school. Corporal B.G. Browning encountered Pickens inside the school this morning and Pickens had a firearm holster on his belt where it was visible to students and staff. Boone County Schools Superintendent John Hudson said Pickens did not have a gun inside of the school. "No individual, to my knowledge, brought a gun inside of the school," Hudson explained. "He had a firearm holster that was empty." Police said Pickens also had in his possession a folding knife which is prohibited on school grounds. However, in close proximity to the school and inside Pickens' vehicle, officers located a loaded .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun, according to the police report. On at least two prior occasions this month, Pickens brandished the empty holster to the staff and made threats of not leaving his gun in his vehicle the next time he came in, according to police. "This is why we called the police to the school," Hudson said. Police said these acts made the staff fear for the safety of their lives as well as the lives of the children inside the school. Pickens was taken before Magistrate C. Porter Snodgrass and arraigned Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 23, 2013. A $100,000 property bond was set.
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christalouigi
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January 23, 2013
I made my previous comment in the first rush of feeling a hindsight of fear that a mother feels upon reading about a threat that could have affected her child. Now after reflecting, I would like to say that I cannot imagine this man could have been let into the school multiple times if he was known to be making threats. I haven't not spoken to anyone directly involved at this point, but I just wanted to say that I trust the staff at my son's school and I feel that perhaps there are facts about the matter that are not clear right now. The staff at SES does everything they can to ensure the safety of our kids.
christalouigi
|
January 23, 2013
This article says that this man had "been in the school on several occasions" and made threats concerning a firearm... WHY on earth was this man allowed in the school after the very first time he ever made such a threat? With all the safeguards schools have today, why was he not arrested the first time he made such a threat, and how was he let in again? I think if someone makes a threat like this, his/her picture should be posted in the office of our schools so when someone rings the buzzer to get in, that picture can be consulted to make sure it is not him/her. My son goes to this school, and this is a terrible thing to come home and find out today, but I thank God that he and the other children and staff are safe and that no one was harmed before this man got arrested. I am continuing to pray a hedge of protection every day around my children and the rest of the precious ones in all our schools.
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