Roy Wathen was using a pellet gun to hunt the invasive lizards in Rotonda West on Tuesday; but, someone called 911 to report a man who appeared to have a rifle near Vineland Elementary. The consequences of those actions led to two school lockdowns, dozens of worried parents and terrified students.

“Within a minute,” Wathen said, “there was at least 30 officers surrounding, helicopters flying, it was scary, to say the least.”

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies detained Wathen for nearly four hours.

“I was embarrassed,” Wathen said. “Very embarrassed.”

Law enforcement placed Vineland and nearby L.A. Ainger Middle School on lockdown. The move made the neighborhood chaotic, parents anxious and students fearful.

“It was kind of bone-chilling,” said Sophie Eichenberger, an L.A. Ainger Middle School…