MMA

Lockdowns Lifted at Hialeah Schools After Police Capture MMA Fighter Allegedly Armed With Knife

Police say suspect armed with knife is known MMA fighter

Several Hialeah schools were placed on lockdown Wednesday morning while police searched for an MMA fighter armed with a knife nearby, officials said.

Crews responded to Ben Sheppard Elementary School off W. 24th Avenue and 57th Street before 9 a.m.

Police say the incident started after a call came in from a nearby home of a man who was involved in a violent domestic dispute.

The man was later identified as John Chavez, a known MMA fighter who has a history of mental illness and violence, according to officials.

Johnny Chavez, a trained MMA fighter, was captured shortly after 11 a.m. after a massive search.

At least three schools in the area were placed on lockdown, including Ben Sheppard Elementary, Ben Sheppard Primary Learning Center, and the Jose Marti MAST Academy.

Chavez was later taken into custody in the area of W. 21st Court and 56th Street, officials said. He was booked into jail and was expected to face charges of aggravated assault and fleeing from police.

The school lockdowns were also lifted.

No other information was immediately known.

Check back with NBC 6 for updates.

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