Dade County pursuit causes middle school to go on lockdown

DADE COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Dade Middle School went on lockdown temporarily on Thursday when an armed suspect was running from authorities.

Dade County Sheriff’s Office learned of the armed suspect at 9:15 a.m. The suspect was on Sand Mountain, headed toward Dade County, Georgia from DeKalb County, Alabama.

The sheriff’s office identified the suspect as 22-year-old Justice Michael Reeves of Flat Rock, Alabama.

Authorities said he had pulled a gun on a woman in Alabama, and when police arrived, Reeves fled.

Dade County joined the pursuit of Reeves on Highway 136. Trenton City Police deployed spike strips near the Food Outlet, which struck the tires of Reeve’s car.

That caused his car to become disabled, and he turned into the Dollar General near Pace Drive.

Deputies said Reeves fled on foot toward Dade Middle School. That is when deputies advised the middle school to go on lockdown.

Dade County deputies and Trenton police then took Reeves into custody just 100 yards away from the school.

Authorities say he faces a felony eluding charge out of Dade County and other charges out of Alabama.

“This is yet another instance of multiple agencies working together to keep our community safe. Dade County Deputies, along with Trenton PD Officers and a few Trenton Firefighters, acted quickly to secure the suspect and prevent him from reaching the middle school. The safety of our community is the most important mission we have. Thank you to all my Deputies, the City of Trenton, our dispatchers, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Ider PD, and the Dade County School System for acting swiftly and producing the safest outcome possible!” said Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross.