The incident had the potential to be on the national news, said Randolph County Sheriff Maynard Reid Jr., but officers stopped a convicted felon before he ever reached school grounds with a 20-gauge automatic shotgun and multiple rounds of ammunition.

“We were able to diffuse the situation,” said Reid. “Our school resource officers take their jobs very seriously, because that’s a big responsibility. We’re there to help and protect the children.”

Reid was referring to the June 2 incident that resulted in John Lawrence Elementary School being locked down after Randolph County 911 received a call that a man with a gun was on his way to the school to “get” his son.

The man, Bennie Lee Kinley II, 43, of 1975 Greendale Road in Archdale, was charged in federal court June 3 with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. According to the sheriff’s office, Kinley is a convicted felon.

As of Monday, Kinley remained in federal custody. The federal prosecutor may file more charges.

Just one week before the incident, on May 26, the sheriff’s office, Archdale police, Guil-Rand firefighters and emergency responders participated in a live training exercise at Wheatmore High School that simulated a school shooting. Reid said that exercise and others like it help his officers and other emergency responders protect children.

“Our school resource officers are constantly training,” Reid continued. “We try to come up with all sorts of scenarios to prevent children from being hurt and everything fell right into place that day. I’m very proud of everyone.”

Aaron Woody, principal of John Lawrence Elementary, said that he was pleased with the response.

“Everybody did a great job,” Woody told the NEWS. “I’m extremely proud of our staff and pleased with the Randolph County Sheriff’s officers. It really was a team effort.”

After the emergency call came in, an officer was dispatched to the school. Once there, he made contact with the school resource officer and initiated lockdown procedures. Two additional school resource officers were sent to the school.

Woody said that during a lockdown, no one enters or leaves the school and the children are kept in secure locations. It’s something they have practiced several times.

While the school resource officers were securing the school, Reid said his office reviewed Kinley’s history and, once they determined he was a felon, decided to ask for federal help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“We have a task force officer attached to the Greensboro ATF office,” he said. “Kinley is a convicted felon.”

Kinley was charged with breaking and entering and larceny, both felonies, in 1985. He also was charged with driving while impaired in 1991 and operating a vehicle without a license in 1992.

Officers stopped a vehicle on Farlow Farm Road, off of Cedar Square Road, that matched the description of the vehicle that Kinley was reportedly driving.

He was in possession of a 20-gauge automatic shotgun wrapped in a trench coat, as well as multiple rounds of ammunition.

According to a press release, Kinley was arrested without incident.

According to Woody, students never knew there was something wrong.

“Our students are doing well,” Woody said last Thursday. “Most didn’t even know anything was happening.”

The caller, Kinley’s former girlfriend, has an active protective order against him.