Elementary school student takes teacher hostage, officials say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A student briefly threatened a teacher with scissors Wednesday at Normandy Village Elementary School, according to the Duval County School District.

The incident prompted what was described as a brief hostage situation at the school on Herlong Road, off Normandy Boulevard. The police were called, other students were safely removed from the classroom and the student with scissors eventually was taken into custody.

No one was hurt and students were dismissed normally and on time.

A letter from Principal Lindsey Conner was sent home with students about the incident. It read, in part, "In an effort to conduct an uncompromised investigation, Duval County School Police has requested that we do not provide additional information regarding the incident in detail."

DOCUMENT: Principal Conner's letter to parents

Conner urged anyone with concerns or questions to contact her.

"The type of behavior allegedly demonstrated by the accused will not be tolerated because it does not accurately reflect the safe and effective learning environment we are committed to building and maintaining at Normandy Village Elementary," the letter reads.

"I'm just getting the notice today. It would have been nice to get it on the forefront, but I'm just finding out about it," said parent Bertram Alford.

Alford said his children are young and he'll tell them what happened, "but I keep a tight ring on mine, so I'm one of those parents who try to be there for my kids anytime they need me. School, I just hate that I have to worry what's going on in the school system now as opposed to back when I was in."