Updated: Sacred Heart Academy intruder in ‘mental health crisis’ apprehended, leaves Bryn Mawr school by ambulance

There’s an extra police presence at Sacred Heart Academy in Bryn Mawr today after an unknown male accessed the campus and entered the school building. In less than an hour, he was apprehended by Radnor Police and ambulanced to Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Here’s the latest:

Mid-afternoon on Wednesday, Radnor Police received numerous 911 calls about an unknown man who appeared to be in crisis on Sacred Heart’s grounds, Chief Chris Flanagan tells SAVVY. Students and staff were directed to shelter in place and Bryn Mawr Avenue was closed, tying up traffic in the area.

Police located the suspect who had entered the school vestibule but was prevented from accessing the rest of the building by Sacred Heart’s robust safety protocols.

The suspect resisted arrest but was apprehended and ambulanced to Bryn Mawr Hospital at 3:30 p.m. under police escort where he remains today for mental health observation and treatment.

According to Chief Flanagan, the suspect was unarmed and so far, does not appear to have a connection to Sacred Heart Academy. No one was injured in the incident.

The same suspect is wanted in Lower Merion on criminal theft charges, Flanagan says. SAVVY is working to confirm a report that he’s wanted by LMPD for stealing a purse and wallet at a Lower Merion store and fleeing the scene.

Radnor Police are talking to the District Attorney’s office about possibly bringing charges in the Sacred Heart incident. Such charges are “pending,” Flanagan says.

Fortuitously, Chief Flanagan himself had just led active shooter, “Run Hide Fight” and lockdown/lockout training at Sacred Heart Academy in August. He commends the school for its “culture of safety” which includes a strict safety plan and protocols, drills and practices.

“Radnor Township is an essential component of our safety protocols and are our partners in the School’s commitment to safety,” the school wrote, in an email to parents about the incident. “We are grateful for their ongoing support of the SHA community.”

Chief Flanagan encourages schools and businesses to contact their local police departments to receive the same free training. “It paid off for Sacred Heart. This could have been a more serious situation.”