Ocala elementary school on lockdown during search for suspect

Suspect taken into custody by Ocala police

A suspect was taken into custody by Ocala Police Departent. (Photo: Ocala Police Department)

OCALA, Fla. – An elementary school in Ocala was placed on lockdown Wednesday as authorities searched for a suspect in the area.

The lockdown at College Park Elementary went into effect at 8:12 a.m. after a driver, later identified as 22-year-old Johnathan Holmes, fled during a traffic stop near Gaiteway Plaza, according to the Ocala Police Department.

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Officers said the Holmes pulled out in front of another Ocala officer and collided with a patrol car.

After the crash, a passenger in Holmes' vehicle tried to get out of it and was hit by it, police said. The passenger was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Holmes also hit a fire hydrant near Southwest 10th Street and Southwest 27th Avenue before abandoning the vehicle and running away, according to police.

Officers set up a perimeter and had units carrying out the search by helicopter, on the ground and with the help of K-9 units.

The search was called off just before 10 a.m., police said.

Holmes was taken into custody and is facing charges of leaving the scene of a crash with injuries and resisting arrest without violence, according to police. Officers said additional charges are pending.

This is a developing story. Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates.


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