Reason For Lockout At John Jay High School Revealed

Local law enforcement has explained the circumstances that led to a recent lockout at a high school in Dutchess County, NY.

Earlier this week ,we learned that one of the schools in the Wappingers Central School District was placed in a lockout after school officials were notified of heavy police presence in an area near the school in Hopewell Junction, NY.

Lockout at John Jay High School

The lockout, implemented by Wappingers Central School District Superintendent Dwight Bonk, began just after 3 p.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025. Bonk posted the lockout on social media, saying, "We were made aware that law enforcement is involved in a police matter near Interstate 84, which is resulting in a lockout at John Jay High School".

Bonk explained that the lockout, which prevents anyone from entering or leaving the school, was put in place as a safety precaution and that all after-school activities were canceled.

The lockout lasted for over an hour and was lifted at 3:37 p.m. after police notified the district that the police activity in the area had concluded. Once the lockout was lifted, many parents and community members wondered what led to the delayed dismissal.

Reason For John Jay High School Lockout

According to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, the lockout was triggered after a driver fled police during a traffic stop and crashed on I-84 in Dutchess County in the area of a high school in East Fishkill, NY.

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Acting Sheriff Brian Hess explained on Facebook that on the afternoon of Monday, September 15th, deputies observed a reported stolen vehicle out of Westchester County and attempted to stop the vehicle. Hess said that the vehicle, which was occupied by three individuals, stopped, and contact was made with the driver, who then drove away.

Police Chase Suspect Into Dutchess County, NY

Deputies pursued the vehicle into Fishkill and on to I-84 eastbound when it ran off the roadway and burst into flames west of the Lime Kiln Road exit, according to Hess. Deputies were able to quickly apprehend the two passengers, but the driver fled into the woods, prompting numerous law enforcement agencies to set up a perimeter in the area to try to capture the suspect.

The suspect, later identified as 23-year-old Brandon C. Waller, was located and taken into custody at approximately 4:30 p.m. and was charged with the following misdemeanors:

• Reckless Endangerment 2nd degree
• Criminal Impersonation 2nd degree
• Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd degree
• Resisting Arrest
• Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle 3rd degree
• Reckless Driving

He was also given numerous tickets for vehicle and traffic violations. Waller was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Philipstown Court at a later date.