Punta Gorda community locked down after armed suspect reported

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Airport Road and Boca Grande Blvd. in Punta Gorda were closed for about an hour after reports of a woman with a rifle on the railroad tracks Thursday afternoon.

Punta Gorda Police with assistance from Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said there was also reports of a “loud bang” before arriving to search the area.

“The two reports coupled together, we obviously took immediate action,” Lieutenant Justin Davoult said. “We had additional units come in.”

A police helicopter was used during the suspect search. two day cares and other surrounding businesses were put on emergency lockdown.

“Nothing [has] ever happened like this,” said Dylan Baermann of Punta Gorda Crossfit. “So we just made sure everyone was safe inside. We tried to keep everyone to the back of the facility and all that kind of stuff, but yeah, pretty weird to happen around here.”

Colleen Ferrara is was shaken up by the whole ordeal. She said a deputy pointed a gun at her during the massive police search near her place of work.

“He told me ‘Ma’am, you need to back up and get as far back as you can and go back in your building and stay there,'” Ferrara said.

Police did not make any arrests after competing their search Thursday. There was no evidence of gun shots fired recovered.

Trust WINK News to update you as more information becomes available. 

 

 

 

 

 

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