By Cheryl Patrick Staff Writer
NORTH JUDSON — Zachary Scutchfield, 18, of rural North Judson, was the focus of a manhunt that developed Monday afternoon, when police learned that Scutchfield was in the area, allegedly mentally distraught and in possession of two firearms.

Scutchfield was last seen at the North Judson park at about 11 a.m. North Judson police put the North Judson - San Pierre (NJSP) School Corporation under lockdown as a precautionary measure because of the close proximity of the schools to the park. Once police had secured the parameters; students were released to go home.
One North Judson School Corporation bus driver learned about the situation when she arrived at NJSP Elementary school.
“I bring the Lutheran school kids over. And Principal (Mike) McBride said they were under a soft lockdown and to keep the kids on the bus,” Angie Stacy said.
A soft lockdown generally means classrooms are lock-ed, but instruction of students continues.
Stacy thought the incident might be domestic related.
“I figured somebody was after their kids, but that wasn’t what was going on. They never did tell us what was happening, just that we couldn’t leave until he (McBride) gave the word. Then he told us we couldn’t leave until the police arrived,” she said.
According to Stacy, about seven or eight police vehicles arrived at the school just moments later.
“I’m the very end bus. One of the officers pulled up behind me, and the rest scattered all over the school. After they checked all over the property, we were told we could release the kindergarten and Lutheran students. Then the school released all of the students out of the building. Each class was walked out by their teacher,” she said.
Scutchfield was reported as having gone AWOL by the U.S. Army stationed in Fort Knox, Ky when he didn’t show up for duty Monday morning.
He is wanted by local authorities for questioning; and he’s considered armed and dangerous. Police are urging residents to keep their homes and vehicles locked.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the Starke County Sheriff’s Department at 574-772-3771.