Fredericksburg, Va. — A masked man who tried to enter James Monroe High School early Friday morning is now in jail after police say he assaulted a school staff member outside the building.
According to the Fredericksburg Police Department, the situation began around 7:40 a.m. Friday (March 13) when a man boarded a city school bus and rode it to James Monroe High School. When the bus arrived, the individual attempted to enter the school. Staff members refused to let him inside.
Police say the man refused to leave the property and then assaulted a school staff member outside the building.
Officers responded quickly and had the suspect in custody within minutes. Police identified him as Jordan Cromes, 32, of Spotsylvania County. He was taken into custody at 7:49 a.m., roughly nine minutes after the first call for help.
Authorities say the incident happened outside the school building, which remained secured the entire time. As a precaution, additional police units were sent to the campus while the situation was sorted out.
School officials notified parents shortly afterward.
Cromes now faces several charges:
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Trespassing (2 counts)
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Disorderly conduct
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Assault
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Mask in public (felony)
Police say he has been ordered held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
Officials credited school staff with acting quickly and refusing the man entry, which kept the situation from moving inside the building.
Police and school officials say they continue monitoring the situation, but the campus remained secure throughout the incident.