Authorities in Gadsden County, Florida, have suspended the active search for Cedric Butler, a man who escaped from custody on Monday afternoon. The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the manhunt was called off and stated there is no longer an active threat to the public. The incident prompted temporary lockdowns at five local schools.
Key Takeaways
- The Gadsden County Sheriff's Office has officially called off the manhunt for Cedric Butler.
- Butler escaped from a bailiff on Monday after a judge ordered him into custody following a court hearing.
- The escape led to precautionary lockdowns at five Gadsden County school campuses, which have since been lifted.
- Authorities report there is no immediate threat to the community, but a new warrant for escape will be issued for Butler.
Details of the Courthouse Escape
The search for Cedric Butler began on Monday, September 29, after he fled from law enforcement at the Gadsden County courthouse. According to a statement from the Sheriff's Office, Butler had appeared in court for a scheduled hearing and was not in custody at the time.
Court records indicate Butler's hearing was at 8:30 a.m. for charges including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a controlled substance. After the judge remanded him to custody, Butler ran from a Bailiff Deputy while being prepared for transport.
Legal Ramifications
As a direct result of fleeing from the deputy, the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office has stated it will issue a new warrant for Butler's arrest. This warrant will include an additional charge of escape, compounding his existing legal issues.
The incident occurred in Quincy, Florida, sparking an immediate and coordinated response from local law enforcement agencies who quickly established a search perimeter in the area.
Community Alert and School Lockdowns
The escape triggered a swift public safety response, most notably affecting the Gadsden County School District. Just before noon, the district placed five of its school campuses under a precautionary lockdown.
In a communication regarding the situation, the school district cited “a convict escaping from the courthouse” as the reason for the security measure. The primary goal was to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff while law enforcement conducted their search in the vicinity.
Timeline of Events
- 8:30 a.m.: Cedric Butler's court hearing begins.
- Before 12:00 p.m.: Butler escapes custody; school district initiates lockdowns.
- 12:30 p.m.: Sheriff's Office reports last sighting of Butler.
- 1:30 p.m.: School lockdowns are lifted after the immediate area is deemed secure.
- Afternoon: The active manhunt is officially called off by authorities.
The lockdown was lifted around 1:30 p.m. after the Sheriff's Office provided an update that the immediate threat had subsided. Normal school operations resumed shortly thereafter, and parents were notified of the situation's resolution.
The Manhunt and Suspect Description
During the active search, the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office released information to the public to aid in locating Butler. He was last seen on foot in the area of Stewart and Key streets in Quincy.
At the time of his escape, Butler was described as wearing black shorts and no shirt. He was also reportedly in handcuffs when he fled. Deputies conducted a thorough search of the area, utilizing multiple resources to track his potential movements.
A spokesperson for the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office explained the circumstances to WCTV, stating the search for Cedric Butler commenced after he “was being loaded for transport after court and ran from a Bailiff Deputy.”
Despite the extensive search efforts in the hours following the escape, law enforcement officials were unable to locate and apprehend Butler, leading to the decision to suspend the active ground search later in the afternoon.
Current Status and Public Safety Assurance
Although the active manhunt has been concluded, the case remains open. The Sheriff's Office has transitioned from a large-scale search to an ongoing investigation to locate Butler. A new warrant for his arrest on the charge of escape will be officially filed.
Authorities have assured the public that they do not believe there is an ongoing, generalized threat to the community. However, residents are always encouraged to remain vigilant and report any unusual activity to law enforcement.
The Gadsden County Sheriff's Office has not released further details on its strategy for apprehending Butler but affirmed that efforts to locate him will continue through investigative means. This story is still developing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.