Garfield Elementary was on lockdown Tuesday morning as Benton County deputies search for a person of interest in a possible domestic disturbance.
Garfield Principal Stephen Bowman locked the school down as a precautionary measure around 9:45 a.m. and all kids are safe, according to Rogers Public School Communications Director Ashley Siwiec.
Garfield Elementary parents were notified by school-district phone alert system that the school is on lockdown and kids are safe, officials say. Classes are continuing but no one can come or go as Benton County Deputies search for the suspect, the school district said.
Deputies received a call around 8 a.m. from Jennifer McElroy in the Garfield area who said she was kidnapped overnight, according to Doug Gay with Benton County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to the residence on North Mills Rd. near the school but the suspect, David Johnson, 42, ran out the backdoor, according to deputies.
Johnson, who was last seen wearing black shorts and no shirt, is about 5’9″ and 200 pounds. He had brown hair. Johnson also tattoos on his arm, Deputy Gay said. He is considered dangerous and has a history of not being cooperative with authorities, according to deputies.
“For him to take off in shorts with a kidnapping charge against him that makes him fairly desperate,” said Deputy Gay. “So he’s obviously somebody that we are concerned about with regard to public safety and somebody that we certainly want to corral as quickly as we can.”
Deputies served a protective order sought by McElroy against Johnson on Aug. 16, Deputy Gay said.
Garfield Elementary is in the Rogers School District and located at 18432 Highway 62, also called Marshall Street in Rogers.
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