Arrest made after suspicious man, backpacks prompt evacuation of Winter Garden school

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – A Winter Garden middle school was evacuated Tuesday morning because of a suspicious person who left backpacks at the campus, officials said.

A police investigation began around 7:25 a.m. at Lakeview Middle School at 1200 West Bay Street after school staff saw the man, later identified as Taylor Patterson, 25, in the parking lot and called authorities.

Winter Garden police spokesman Scott Allen said officers made contact with Patterson near the school and two suspicious backpacks were located.

Allen said the same man was "acting bizarre" over the weekend but didn't do anything unlawful.

“There’s nothing to say he had bad intentions, but we just want to do the best to protect our community," Allen said.

A suspicious backpack was found in the back of Patterson's pickup truck, and another one was hanging from a fence, Allen said. The bags were cleared by a bomb robot.

Winter Garden detectives continued to interview Patterson and later charged him with trespassing on school property and interfering with a school function, according to police. Authorities said they would also recommend a risk protection order against him.

Allen said Patterson is former military and a convicted felon. He lives in Ocoee.

"We want to make sure we get him the proper assistance that he needs," Allen said.

Only a few dozen students were at the school when the campus was evacuated. Those students were shuttled to West Orange High School, and a few hundred students en route at the time the suspicious person call was made were also re-routed to West Orange. The students will be bused back to the middle school now that the incident is over.

An Orange County Public Schools spokeswoman said class could be back in session at Lakeview Middle School as soon as 1 p.m.

The school principal advised parents about the incident in the following message:

"Lakeview Middle School parents, this is Principal Gracemarie Howland calling to inform you that our school has been evacuated due to a report of a suspicious person, vehicle and backpacks on campus. 

"Winter Garden PD and district police are currently on scene investigating.

"Parents, at this time, no one is allowed on campus. There will be a delay to the start of our school day. Students and staff who were on campus are being transported to West Orange High School, and buses are currently being rerouted to this school as well.

"Please be assured the safety of our students and staff is a top priority. I will be sure to update you as soon as I receive additional information from law enforcement. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support."

Sky 6 flew over the school after the evacuation, where fire rescue and sheriff's office vehicles could be seen. Authorities could be seen using a robot to inspect the area.

Police said Tuesday afternoon that there were no further concerns for the safety of the school's administration or students.