Machete-wielding man taken into custody outside Georgia elementary school

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Police in Perry, Georgia, took a man into custody on Friday morning after he was found wielding a machete outside Langston Road Elementary School. The suspect, identified as Cody Alley, was arrested without incident, and no injuries were reported as the school's custodial staff were the only people on campus at the time.

Why it matters

While no students were present, the presence of a suspect armed with a machete outside an elementary school raises serious concerns about school safety and the need for vigilance in protecting educational institutions, especially in the wake of recent incidents of violence on school grounds.

The details

According to the Perry Police Department, Houston County 911 received a call around 6:30 a.m. about a person beating on a door at the school while holding a machete. Officers responded to the scene and found Cody Alley armed with the weapon. Alley was taken into custody without incident, and authorities say there were no students at the school at the time, as the custodial staff were on campus preparing for a field day event.

• The incident occurred on Friday, March 13, 2026, around 6:30 a.m.

What’s next

The suspect, Cody Alley, has been charged with possession of a weapon on school property, disrupting or interfering with a public school, and criminal trespass. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.