A man died after being confronted by local residents for allegedly attempting to scale the wall of a Long Beach, California elementary school armed with a sledgehammer, according to local law enforcement. The unusual event took place at McKinley Elementary School around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday while classes were in session.
The individual had reportedly managed to climb a fence and enter the school’s parking lot. As he attempted to ascend another barrier leading to the school grounds, he was intercepted and restrained by a group of men.
Local police were initially summoned to the scene in response to a reported home invasion. Upon arrival, they were directed to the school where the man had been detained.
Upon reaching the school, law enforcement found the man unresponsive. Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, where they confirmed the man’s death.
In response to the incident, the school was temporarily placed on lockdown. However, classes resumed as usual on Wednesday, with heightened security measures in place.
The school administration sent a letter to parents, providing limited information about the incident. The letter stated that the school had been locked down due to a medical emergency in the parking lot, which resulted in a death. It assured parents that the safety of students and staff was maintained throughout the incident.
Parents expressed their frustration over the lack of detailed information about the incident. This event followed a lockdown the previous week, when a man was reported to have pointed a gun at an eight-year-old girl through the school fence. The man was apprehended, but no firearm was discovered.
Jake Heflin, a spokesperson for the Long Beach Fire Department, stated that the man who had been carrying the sledgehammer suffered a cardiac arrest. However, the exact cause of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County coroner.