Suspect chase forces school lockdowns

Five Manatee County public schools, including Bashaw Elementary in the East County, were put on precautionary lockdown around 1 p.m. today as U.S. Border Patrol officials handled a possible human trafficking case in the area.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Dave Bristow confirmed the sheriff’s office assisted U.S. Border Patrol in responding to a related vehicle crash at State Road 64 East and 48th Street Court East around that time.

School district spokesman Margi Nanney said Bashaw, Manatee and Wakeland elementary schools, Horizon Academy and Johnson Middle School were put on lock down, although several have been cleared at this time.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].