PHOTO: Surveillance footage of the suspect released by the Board of Education. (DeKalb County Schools)
By Staff Reports
SYLVANIA, Ala. — According to the DeKalb County Board of Education, the suspect who entered Sylvania High School is in custody.
Fortunately, the students reacted quickly and no one appears to have been harmed.
Cole Barnes (21 of Rainsville) was charged with 3rd Degree Criminal Trespassing, and is currently being held in the DeKalb County Jail on a $1500 bond.
Dr. Jason Barnett released the following statement at around 9 pm: "This evening as students were rehearsing for a performance at Sylvania High School, an unidentified male entered the building."
"The faculty secured the building and contacted police immediately. Law enforcement arrived swiftly, and all buildings on campus were put on surveillance and secured. All students quickly reached safety, are accounted for, and have been released to their families.
Thanks goes to all responding law enforcement—the DeKalb County Sheriff’s office, the Sylvania Police Department, the Rainsville Police Department, the Henagar Police Department, the Scottsboro Police Department, and the Alabama State Troopers.
They all acted immediately to protect our students and staff.
If anyone has any further information about tonight’s events or can identify the attached photos, please contact the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department at 256-845-3801.
