Suspected gunman surrender near WCMS – Sullivan released after officers find no weapon
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Whether the man in question was actually armed remains up for debate. The suspect, Derek Sullivan, 28, was found ? unarmed ? shortly after 3 p.m. near Mt. View Cemetery just east of the middle school. He presently faces no charges, although police say there is evidence he broke into a relative?s home near the school and statements indicate he pulled a gun on a woman.
None of the alleged victims want to press charges, however, with police noting the suspect is a convicted felon who could face a long prison sentence if it is proven he had a gun in his possession at any time.
The drama began just before the end of school Wednesday when police received a call of a domestic disturbance on Winton Street, located one block south of the middle school.
When police arrived, they were told Sullivan had a dispute with a woman there and then pulled a gun from his belt when he was challenged by a man at the home.
Sullivan then reportedly ran away in the direction of the middle school. The school was placed on lockdown when school officials learned the armed man may have sought refuge on campus. However, a sweep of the campus by police found no trace of the suspect until officers got tipped to a cellphone where he might be reached.
Minutes later, police were on the phone with the suspect who would not reveal his location but agreed to meet lawmen at Mt. View Cemetery. The suspect did as promised, but had no gun on his person. Sullivan denied he ever flashed a gun during the domestic dispute, and, given the reluctance of the alleged victims to press charges, police let him go free.
While no charges have been filed and despite Sullivan?s denial he was ever armed, police say they are still looking for the gun, if nothing else, to ensure he did not stash the weapon in one of the wooded areas around the middle school campus. Bobby Ray Elementary was also locked down during the manhunt.