A tense and disturbing scene unfolded Friday afternoon in front of Country Oaks Elementary School, located in Hendry County, as a confrontation between a man and parents picking up their children escalated dangerously.
The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident began when a man, identified as B M, approached a parked vehicle in the right-of-way area at the corner of Northwest Eucalyptus and Commodore Street, where parents were picking up their children. M allegedly opened the door of one car, attempted to unbuckle a woman’s seatbelt, and threatened to kill her while waving a knife in her face.
A school resource officer, who was nearby, intervened. The officer was able to detain M.
M S, a parent who witnessed the event firsthand, described the unsettling moments he experienced.
“When I was walking, I just saw, you know, a confrontation,” S said. “The next thing I know, the cop had him on the ground. And, you know, I don’t know what it was about, but if the cop puts you on the ground, you know it ain’t good. He was a hero.”
The alarming situation caused immediate concern, particularly for teachers like P M.
“My God, you must be on the edge to knife a woman,” M said.
Deputies said that M’s anger stemmed from parents parking on a grassy area that he did not own. It was later clarified that the grass is part of a county right-of-way, not private property.
A M, another concerned parent, said, “I don’t think that’s right for him to do that if he’s not, I mean, he’s not allowing nobody to park there.”
“I teach in middle school,” said P M, reflecting on how she would explain such an event to her students. “Trying to explain to these kids that this is just not normal. These extremes are crazy.”
As deputies responded to the scene, they discovered that M was not only carrying a knife but also a gun. He was arrested and charged with burglary with battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has urged parents to avoid parking on the grass during pick-up times, emphasizing safety concerns.
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Source: nbc-2
