Jacksonville police respond to shots fired on West 41st Street near two local schools

Parents were fearful for their children's safety after bullets flew through an elementary school classroom window while children sat inside.

The shooting started just as students were wrapping up their state testing today.

JSO says the suspect or suspects involved in the shooting were never on campus at any point.

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No students or staff were hurt.

Sky Action News Jax flew over the scene as parents arrived on the campus of St. Clair Evans Academy to sign their kids out early.

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole spoke to parents, neighbors and  the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to learn more about what happened.

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“I don't like the situation that we've been put in because of the crime— and the way things are going,” said Ricky Dorsey.

Dorsey had tp pick up his granddaughter earlier than expected -- just one of the many who had to pick up kids ahead of schedule at St. Clair Evans Academy.

This came after parents and guardians were notified by the Duval County School District about a shooting that happened in the area of West 45th Street and Moncrief Road.

“It always happens. All the time. It's not unusual,” Dorsey told Action News Jax Courtney Cole.

JSO told Action News Jax a school officer called in reports of hearing gunshots around 11:05 a.m.  Wednesday.

Three bullets went into a classroom where three dozen students — and two teachers —

were doing FSA testing, according to the school district spokesman.

None of the students were hurt.

The principal placed the school on Code Red and the school immediately went into lockdown.

The school was placed on a Code Yellow as JSO started its investigation.

Lawanda Polydore, the principal of St. Clair Evans Academy, said she's proud of the way her staff responded during this incident.

“I want parents to know we have actual heroes, our teachers faculty and staff. They did everything they were trained to do. And they kept all the students safe in the building today— and that's what we do every day,” Polydore said.

The lockdown was lifted around 1:15 p.m.

JSO said there were two other locations connected to the shooting -- one of those was on 41st street.

“They can't focus...well some of them are used to gunshots and that's bad...they shouldn't have to live like that.”

Polydore told Action News Jax school will take place as usual on Thursday and Friday.

“We will be teaching and taking care of our students,” said Polydore.

Latrice Campbell, a neighbor who lives around the corner from the school, told Action News Jax she doesn’t think students should have to return to school until the suspect (or suspects) are captured.

"How do y’all expect these kids to learn if the school is not even safe anymore?” Latrice Campbell asked.

Parents told Cole they were frustrated that they weren’t notified of the incident sooner.

“We have to get everything under control. We have to make sure students are safe. So that's what we wanted to do first. We put all of our procedures in place and made sure every student was safe before we had time to make phone calls,” said Polydore.

At last check with JSO, at least two people were being detained and questioned.

JSO is asking any witnesses to call them directly at 904-630-0500 or call Crimestoppers at 866-845-TIPS.

Cox Media Group