Manchester Elementary no longer on lockdown

Manchester Elementary School was on lockdown for more than an hour Monday morning after a man who had apparently applied for a job there allegedly assaulted a member of the custodial staff at the school.
Ronald Brunson, 56, of 220 Kirven St. in Pinewood, has been charged with assault and battery, third degree, as well as disturbing schools, according to Braden Bunch, spokesman for Sumter County Sheriff's Office.
Brunson is being held at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.
The suspect arrived at the school shortly after the beginning of the school day Monday and allegedly assaulted a member of the school’s custodial staff, Bunch said. He left and reportedly returned to the school a short time later.
Bunch said the suspect did not have a weapon in his possession.
According to sheriff's office reports, Brunson described himself as a disgruntled employee applicant who had been rejected for a custodial position at the school. Bunch said the sheriff's office could not confirm whether the suspect had actually applied for a job there.
Following appropriate precautionary protocols, administration officials placed the school on lockdown shortly after the incident began, Bunch said. No students were injured or in harm’s way during the incident.
The school employee assaulted in the incident did not require medical attention, Bunch said.
The suspect, who family members have said has a history of mental issues, was eventually located at his home and placed into custody by deputies without further incident, Bunch said.
The Sumter Item will have an update later in the day.