White Co Northfield Elementary On Soft Lockdown As Police Search Area

White County’s Northfield Elementary School is on soft lockdown Friday after a shooting nearby on Old Cookeville Highway.

Sheriff Steve Page said a resident was shot in the stomach during an attempted home robbery. The man tried to apprehend the suspect and fired a warning shot in the air. Page said that resulted in the robber firing back with a handgun, striking the resident in the abdomen.

“Unfortunately, we did not apprehend him,” Page said. “He is still on the run, but we know he is not in the area. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office came down with us with their bloodhounds. We tracked for a while and then, lost track so we were unable to find him. As of right now, we still have officers in the area looking.”

Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said in an announcement that the site is secure, and a normal school day will continue. Page said two officers remain on school grounds.

“We will provide an update to parents later in the day,” Dronebarger said in an email. “We do ask that parents avoid calling the school unnecessarily as this ties up the communication lines.”

Page said the Sheriff’s Office does not have a physical description of the suspect and more than one person may be involved in the crime. Page said the victim does not have life-threatening injuries.