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Alleged Stabbing Causes Lockdown in The Plains

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – A man is in custody and an elementary school lockdown has been lifted after an alleged stabbing this afternoon.

The Plains Elementary was placed on precautionary lockdown at about 1:30 p.m. after being notified by the Athens County Sheriff’s Office that an “altercation” had occurred near the school, according to school principal Heather Skinner.

The “altercation” was an alleged stabbing that investigators said occurred at 7116 LeMaster Road, less than a mile from the school.

James E. Warrener, 41, of Roy Avenue in The Plains was arrested and charged with felonious assault and aggravated burglary, according to Acting Sheriff Rodney Smith.

The name of the victim has not been released, but Smith said the victim was taken to OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital where he is in stable condition. The nature of his injuries was also not released.

Warrener was apprehended at the LeMaster Road residence without further incident, Smith said.

The school was put on lockdown though there was no immediate danger to the school.

“Any time there is something like this, where we think there is any reason to secure the school just to be safe, we’re going to do it,” Smith said.

Skinner said the lockdown would not affect dismissal or bus routes. As of 3:15 p.m., an early bus had already picked up some students and the school planned to dismiss as normal.