Parking lot Altercation Triggers School lockdown

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

A Martin County Elementary school had to go into “soft lockdown” as a precaution Monday afternoon, March 2, after an altercation between four men erupted in their parking lot.

Police say that the five people involved were Gage Dalton Reed, 25, of Debord; Ronald Reed, 29, of Sitka; Caleb Costa, 21 and his father Tony Costa, 48, both of Warfield.

Reports said that the fight began at a McDonalds in Inez between the Reed’s and Caleb and after they contacted 911, they followed Caleb only to find out where he lived to press charges.

The Costa’s lived next to the Warfield Elementary School and so then the Reeds told police when seeing that he lived there that is what prompted them to turn into the school parking lot.

“They said they were attempting to turn around and return to Warfield to get cell phone service and further advise law enforcement,” School Officer Nathan Todd said. “As they were turning around, Costa, accompanied by his father, Tony Costa, came onto the school property and confronted them.”

That’s when according to police, Gage Reed and Ronald Reed exited their vehicle. Gage Reed and Caleb Costa then became involved in a physical altercation.

“Ronald Reed and Tony Costa were egging the whole situation on in the parking lot,” said Todd.

Officers reviewed school surveillance footage, which corroborated statements that the Costas left their property and advanced toward the Reeds.

However, it was also determined the Costas were not blocking the Reed vehicle and that the Reeds could have exited the parking lot. Instead, police said, they parked and exited their vehicle, continuing the altercation.

According to officers, Gage Reed advanced toward Caleb Costa, and Caleb Costa struck Reed first.

“There ended up being five people total involved in this altercation in one way or another,” said Todd.

The four men were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, second degree.

According to reports, Sunday Costa, Caleb’s mother was given a citation for 2nd degree disorderly conduct for her involvement in “yelling and cussing on school grounds.”