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AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – A suspect is in custody following a “secure” lockdown at Wilson Memorial on Wednesday afternoon.
According to a release from Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith, at 1:10 PM the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office received a call for a suicidal subject with a firearm. It was reported that the person was threatening to harm themselves, and stream it by live-feed over social media. Deputies responded to the area of Freds Lane near the Wilson Schools Complex. When Deputies arrived, they quickly determined that a male dressed in all black with a firearm was heading towards the school complex through the woodland.
Sheriff Smith said the schools were placed on a “secure” out of an abundance of caution.
The investigation later determined that the original incident with the suicidal subject was a separate incident from the male dressed in all black with a firearm.
Due to the male being in close proximity to the schools, Sheriff Smith says a perimeter was established around the complex. Buses with children who lived in the immediate area were held until the area was deemed to be safe. Throughout the evening hours deputies remained in the Fishersville area due to after school activities.
Deputies located the suspect on Jefferson Highway at approximately 5:40 PM. The male has been identified as 22-year-old Patrick M. Hickman of Waynesboro (pictured below). The firearm that was reported, was determined to be a BB gun shaped like a rifle. Hickman was taken into custody without incident and charged with 2 misdemeanors including obstruction of justice and public intoxication, as well as felony manufacturing, selling giving, distributing, or possessing with the intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance. Hickman is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.
Sheriff Smith says at no time was there a direct threat made towards the school complex. This incident was based on a report of a man with a gun walking adjacent to the school complex. It was determined that he was evading law enforcement due to the narcotics in his possession.
The ACSO would like to thank The Virginia State Police, The Conservation Police from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and Woodrow Wilson Police Department for their assistance and support during this incident today; it was greatly appreciated. We would also like to acknowledge and thank the Augusta County Public Schools, teachers, staff and bus drivers for ensuring that the children made it home safely to their families.