SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — The Sevierville Police Department is searching for a suspect accused of robbing a Sevierville business Friday morning, prompting precautionary lockdowns at several nearby schools.
According to police, officers responded around 9:20 a.m. to an armed robbery at the Cherokee Trading Post, located at 1590 Winfield Dunn Parkway.
Investigators said the suspect fled the scene on foot and remains at large.
Police described the suspect as wearing dark or black pants, a dark-colored jacket, a ski mask, white shoes and a gray hat. Authorities added that the suspect may have changed clothing after leaving the area.
As officers searched for the suspect, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office announced that four schools in the immediate area were placed on a precautionary soft lockdown.
The affected schools include:
- Boyd’s Creek Elementary School
- Gary Hardin Academy
- Northview Primary School
- Northview Intermediate School
Officials said the schools were placed on soft lockdown because they are located in the general vicinity of the robbery. The measure was implemented as a temporary safety precaution while law enforcement officers continue searching for the suspect.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that the lockdowns are precautionary and will remain in place until cleared by leadership with the Sevier County School System.
The investigation remains active. Anyone with information regarding the robbery or the suspect’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Sevierville Police Department at 865-453-5506.
