Suspect arrested for “Menacing” at Sylvania School

SYLVANIA, Alabama (WDEF) – Sylvania School was put on lockdown Tuesday after reports of a stranger on campus with a gun.

School officials called the Sheriff’s Department, who got a deputy on the scene in three minutes.

The suspect had left campus but officers got a photo from school surveillance cameras.

From that, they got plenty of tips to identify him as 21 year old Cole Joseph Barnes.

They found Barnes at his home just a couple of miles away.

Investigators determined that Barnes was actually armed with a pellet pistol, not a real gun.

They charged him with criminal trespass 3rd, menacing and disorderly conduct.

Chief Deputy Michael Edmondson states “We appreciate every agency that responded to assist at Sylvania School. We are thankful for a great working relationship with all surrounding agencies. The protection of our children is of the upmost importance to us at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.”