A man who was spotted near Habersham Ninth Grade Academy caused a few tense moments Thursday morning. But authorities and school officials say, as it turned out, he was never a threat to the school and never entered school grounds.
“A man seen Thursday morning carrying an apparent weapon near the Habersham Ninth Grade Academy was simply passing through the area,” school officials posted on Facebook. “A school employee and some parents reported seeing the man on Owens Circle as students and staff were arriving prior to the start of the school day.”
Habersham County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Habersham County Board of Education Police Department officers, and the Georgia State Patrol responded, immediately making contact with the man on Ga. 197 near the ramp to Ga. 365.
“When the deputy and other officers made contact with the man, he was walking away from the schools and had the handle of a machete sticking out of his backpack and a non-functioning crossbow in his hand,” school officials said.
The man, whose only way to travel is on foot, told deputies he walked along the road behind the school in hopes of avoiding creating a panic, stating he was heading home.
“He did not at any time come onto the school campus,” said Habersham County Board of Education Police Chief Murray Kogod.
Law enforcement personnel are familiar with the man and that he walks in that area since that is his mode of transportation.
Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum and Chief Kogod stressed that at no time were students, staff, or parents threatened or in danger.