CCSO trying to determine why two armed teens climbed fence into stadium
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Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter talks will Columbia High and Buchholz High officials Friday night at Tiger Stadium. The season opener was postponed until Saturday night following two armed men climbing a fence at Tiger Stadium. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)
Authorities continue to investigate the incident at Tiger Stadium Friday night that postponed Columbia High's season opener.
Sheriff Mark Hunter said Saturday that his deputies continue to sort through exactly why two armed teens climbed a fence to get into the stadium.
“They're still doing interviews, still doing follow-ups,” Hunter said. “We're trying.”
At the end of the first quarter Friday night, two armed teens from Lake City – an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old – climbed a fence on the south side of the stadium near the high school. Deputies spotted the two hopping the fence and quickly detained them.
During that interaction, one of the individuals – 18-year-old Anthony Lamont Smith – became combative but both were ultimately arrested.
Smith has been charged with resisting officer with violence, possessing a weapon on school grounds, possession of a weapon by a delinquent adult and marijuana possession on school grounds.
The 17-year-old's identity has not been disclosed as a juvenile. He has been charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds.
On Friday night, Hunter said one of the men had a firearm that was visible in his waistband. After a search, a firearm that was “well hidden” was found on the other man, Hunter said.
On Saturday, Hunter said among the information authorities are trying to track down include whether the pair were CHS students, as well as their intentions at Friday's game.
“We're putting all that together,” he said.
Hunter also said no connection has been made, yet, from Friday's incident at the game with the fatal shooting on the north side of Lake City on Thursday night. A 12-year-old student at Richardson Sixth Grade Academy was shot and killed while on the couch at her residence on the 200 block of NW Long Street around 9 p.m. Thursday. Authorities continue to investigate and track down information regarding that shooting.
With the game being resumed at Citizens Field in Gainesville at 7 p.m. today, Hunter said the Alachua County Sheriff's Office has a good plan in place to ensure safety. But with the recent events in Lake City, the CCSO will also have personnel on site in Gainesville.
“We should be in pretty good shape,” Hunter said. “My guys did a good job last night and I feel very comfortable with us being able to continue to play.
“We're just going to hold people accountable if they want to do stupid things like this.”
There were also additional security at Tiger Stadium on Friday night following the shooting Thursday.