Knox Man Arrested after Alleged Threats at Knox High School

 
 

A Knox man was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly making threats to harm individuals within the Knox Community High School.

Officers from the Knox City Police Department were notified of the situation after Paul J. Esparza, 20, had entered Knox High School and was escorted from the building by school officials twice. The initial complaint suggested that Esparza was in possession of a handgun, according to a news release. Officers found Esparza in the area of the school shortly after notification and took him into custody. Police say he was not armed at the time.

Esparza is being held in the Starke County Jail on preliminary misdemeanor charges of trespass and intimidation.

Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa confirmed that the Knox Elementary School was on lockdown for approximately 10 minutes until police located Esparza.

The incident remains under investigation.