A Fairfield man was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon after police responded to reports of an individual walking with an AR-15 style rifle near local schools, prompting a temporary lockdown.
According to authorities, Wayne County 911 dispatched Fairfield City Police and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 12:39 pm after receiving calls about a man carrying a rifle in the 300 block of S.E. Seventh Street in Fairfield. As officers searched the area, city schools initiated lockdown procedures as a precaution.
Deputies soon located 27-year-old Daniel L. Salinas of Fairfield, walking eastbound on Route 15. Law enforcement officers ordered Salinas to place his weapon on the ground and comply with commands. He did so without incident and was taken into custody.
Officials say Salinas was carrying a loaded AR-15 rifle, wearing a ballistic vest equipped with medical supplies, and had 12 magazines containing more than 300 rounds of ammunition.
Fairfield City Police transported Salinas to Fairfield Memorial Emergency Room for a mental health evaluation before he was transferred to the Wayne County Jail. Salinas now faces multiple charges, including Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon while wearing body armor, a Class X felony.
No injuries were reported and the lockdown was lifted shortly after the situation was resolved. The investigation is ongoing.