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Dutchess County School Under Lockdown For Hostage Situation
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PINE PLAINS, N.Y. (WPIX) -
A former Stissing Mountain High School student was taken into police custody after he took the prinicpal hostage at the school Tuesday morning.
At about 10 a.m., the armed suspect, identified as 42-year-old Christopher Craft, surrendered to police. No shots were fired and no injuries were reported.
The Dutchess County Sheriff's Department said the school was placed under lockdown. At this hour, there is still police presence at the school.
According to the Pine Plains Town Supervisor Gregg Pulver, the school's principal Bob Hess was taken hostage at the start of the school day at about 8 a.m.
Clark is described as having previous run-ins with the law and may be mentally unstable. Reports also say he graduated from Stissing Mountain High School in the 1980s.
Clark reportedly walked into the school with a disassembled rifle. He first went to the bathroom to reassemble the firearm, then went to the principal's office and took the principal hostage.
Clark was in contact with a hostage negociation team and reports say he and Hess were in an isolated location, possibly the principal's office, away from students.
An evacuation plan is underway and some students have already been escorted out. At this hour, some students still remain inside the school.
Parents of students were instructed to go to Stissing House Restaurant and Tavern parking lot at the center of town, where they will be reunited with their children.
Police units are on the scene and unconfirmed reports say the New York State Police requested that several ambulances remain on standby at the Pine Plains school.
Among several other agencies, New York State Police's rifle team and SWAT team are on the scene.
The local fire department has also closed several surrounding streets to traffic.
There are approximately 500 students and 100 staff members at the high school.
The high school is located at 2829 Church Street and shares the same address as the Stissing Mountain Middle School.
Pine Plains is located about 90 miles north of New York City. It is described as a close-knit rural town with a population of about 2,400 people.
At about 10 a.m., the armed suspect, identified as 42-year-old Christopher Craft, surrendered to police. No shots were fired and no injuries were reported.
The Dutchess County Sheriff's Department said the school was placed under lockdown. At this hour, there is still police presence at the school.
According to the Pine Plains Town Supervisor Gregg Pulver, the school's principal Bob Hess was taken hostage at the start of the school day at about 8 a.m.
Clark is described as having previous run-ins with the law and may be mentally unstable. Reports also say he graduated from Stissing Mountain High School in the 1980s.
Clark reportedly walked into the school with a disassembled rifle. He first went to the bathroom to reassemble the firearm, then went to the principal's office and took the principal hostage.
Clark was in contact with a hostage negociation team and reports say he and Hess were in an isolated location, possibly the principal's office, away from students.
An evacuation plan is underway and some students have already been escorted out. At this hour, some students still remain inside the school.
Parents of students were instructed to go to Stissing House Restaurant and Tavern parking lot at the center of town, where they will be reunited with their children.
Police units are on the scene and unconfirmed reports say the New York State Police requested that several ambulances remain on standby at the Pine Plains school.
Among several other agencies, New York State Police's rifle team and SWAT team are on the scene.
The local fire department has also closed several surrounding streets to traffic.
There are approximately 500 students and 100 staff members at the high school.
The high school is located at 2829 Church Street and shares the same address as the Stissing Mountain Middle School.
Pine Plains is located about 90 miles north of New York City. It is described as a close-knit rural town with a population of about 2,400 people.
why would he do that?
olivia @ 8:16 PM EST, Nov 11, 2009
Only Zach jumped out a window. I'm a student at the school, and it was very nerve racking. He never left Mr. Hess's office. There are only 600 students. We were told by police where Craft was when they first moved us. I'm happy this turned out the way it did without turning tragic.
Tomm Gomm @ 7:55 PM EST, Nov 10, 2009
How can this happen. Walk into a school with a rifle. This is my grandchildern's school
Kathy Brophy @ 12:36 PM EST, Nov 10, 2009