Why a man parked outside the Carnesville Elementary School grounds and walked to the main building Tuesday afternoon while wearing a mask remains unclear.
Daryl Keith Davis, 58 of Martin, was arrested during a traffic stop after multiple witnesses contacted Franklin County 911 to report his conduct and appearance Tuesday afternoon, said Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas.
“The reports involved a person wearing what appeared to be a full-hooded mask with a sleeveless shirt,” Thomas said in a statement. “The calls were those of concerned parents who were parked for the afternoon school dismissal.”
Law enforcement and school administration, along with school resource officers, school security, and staff members utilized the soft lockdown procedure until the person was located.
“The vehicle of interest was located on Clarks Creek Road, where a traffic stop was conducted,” Thomas said. “Law enforcement found that the driver of the vehicle still had the hooded mask in place.”
No weapons or devices were located that caused concern, Thomas said.
Davis was arrested and charged with disruption or interference with the operation of a public school, which is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.
Davis remains in the Franklin County Detention Center awaiting a first appearance hearing that will be scheduled by a Franklin County magistrate judge.
Thomas said he and school administrators are thankful for the parents who were parked at the school awaiting dismissal when the incident unfolded, noting those parents remained calm, patient and provided 911 with valuable information until the campus was secured and the person of interest was located.
