Assault near CISD Campuses Leads to Lockdown

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – Crockett ISD campuses were placed on lockdown Friday afternoon following an assault near the school facilities.

According to Crockett Police Department Lt. Clayton Smith, the assault occurred sometime between noon and 1:00 p.m. near the CISD campuses.

“Our officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Darius Street in reference to an assault. When they arrived on the scene, they found a male subject lying in a pool of blood, with severe injuries to the head. He was alive, but non-responsive,” Smith said.

The police lieutenant reported the male victim is in his 60s and was initially transported to Timberlands Healthcare. He then was transported by air ambulance to a Tyler hospital, where he is listed in critical condition.

Asked if a suspect had been identified in the assault, Smith reported the alleged perpetrator was identified as Frederick Scott, Jr.

“The suspect was apprehended in Leon County, a short while ago,” Smith said at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Friday.  “He is being held there on charges from Leon County but we are issuing arrest warrants here in Houston County, as we speak. He will be charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and aggravated assault of a deadly weapon. Those charges could be upgraded.”

“The incident is still under investigation and we are trying to determine what the motive was for the assault,” Smith added.

In regard to the CISD lockdown, Asst. Superintendent Wendy Tullos praised the police department for the manner in which it was handled.

“The Crockett Police officers followed protocol to the letter. We received a call from Lt. Clayton Smith at approximately 12:55 to let us know there was someone armed and dangerous on the loose,” she said.

The police requested all campuses be placed on lockdown. The various campuses were contacted immediately and the district was placed on lockdown, Tullos indicated.

“We confirmed all the campuses were locked down where no one could go in or out and at about 1:45 p.m., Lt. Smith contacted me and we could come off of the lock down,” Tullos said. “He said it was now safe, but added we might see an increased number of law enforcement personnel in the area. He did stress it was safe.”

Tullos asserted the incident had nothing to with the school district.

“It was just a safety precaution. I want to compliment the police department because they immediately called the school to let us know what we needed to do. They stayed in contact with us the entire time,” she said.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].