A southeast Iowa school district went into lockdown on Thursday after a man brandished a gun near a school.
According to the Fairfield Police Department, its dispatch center received a call regarding a man displaying a handgun on the 100 block of East Broadway. Given the man’s proximity to the grounds of the Fairfield Community School District, the department initiated lockdown procedures out of an abundance of caution. Authorities say no school staff or students were involved in the incident.
Police say the suspect was found after a search. 31-year-old Bowe James Cook of Winfield was taken into custody. A loaded handgun and 88 grams of cocaine were allegedly found in his possession.
Cook was charged with felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, interference with official acts, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Cook may face additional charges as the investigation is ongoing, according to law enforcement.
Police stressed that the incident in Fairfield was unrelated to the school shooting that occurred Thursday morning in Perry, Iowa.
