ARLINGTON, Texas — Three Arlington ISD elementary schools were placed on lockout status at around 3 p.m. Wednesday as police engaged in a search for a suspect nearby.
According to Arlington Police, the call to put Wimbish Elementary, Speer Elementary and Pope Elementary in lockdown was made "out of an abundance of caution" as officers and a Department of Public Safety helicopter searched for a suspect near West Randol Mill Road's intersections with Oakwood Lane and North Fielder Road.
Arlington police said it had received a tip that a suspect in a "recent violent incident" was spotted near Randol Mill and Fielder.
Police said they located a suspect and two "associates of his," and all three were then taken into custody without incident.
The three were identified as suspects in a May 17 homicide of a 19-year-old in Arlington.
Shortly after the lockdowns were put in place, Arlington ISD said it was in communication with parents to relay information about an eventual school release for students. The lockdowns, Arlington ISD said, involved "all exterior doors [being] locked so no one can enter the building from the outside."
A statement from Arlington ISD said students and staff remained safe throughout the lockouts, and lessons continued as usual.
At around 5:30 p.m., Arlington Police confirmed that all three of the schools had engaged in a "controlled release" of students. Students who ride the bus or are picked up by a parent were released at the expected times, and those who walk who were held on campus and released at a later time.