According to a press release from the Shelbyville Police Department, on Tuesday at approximately 1:18 p.m., SPD officers were dispatched to North Country Subdivision regarding a White male threatening a family with a handgun.
When officers arrived, the subject had already fled the area and headed north towards two local schools. The subject cut through several backyards and was spotted in the area of Painted Stone Elementary School. Additional Shelbyville officers were joined by Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies and moved into the area to ensure school safety. Officers also cut off trail areas that would allow the subject escape routes.
The school resource officer, outside with a group of students, ensured their safe return to the building. While there was not a direct threat to the school, the principal and school staff took extra precautions and began proper lockdown procedures due to the close proximity of the incident.
Officers were able to determine that the subject had entered school property and traveled along the front portion of the school grounds before turning towards a path that led behind a nearby neighborhood.
The subject was then subdued and taken into custody without incident, and then identified as 18-year-old Joseph Nickerson. At the time of arrest, Nickerson had a 9 mm Taurus handgun with 15 live rounds loaded in the weapon’s magazine.
Nickerson was booked on charges of terroristic threatening, third degree; carrying a concealed weapon; unlawful possession of weapon on school property; and fleeing or evading police, second degree, on foot. He is currently held at the Shelby County Detention Center.
