A substitute teacher has been arrested for allegedly bringing a gun to a South Carolina school, per the Richland County Sheriff's Department.
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As reported by WACH, the incident occurred when authorities were called to Blythewood High School, located near the state's capital city of Columbia, on Monday, March 9. They were alerted that Justin Fox, a 37-year-old substitute teacher, had gone through security with a gun.
Why Did the Substitute Teacher Come to School With a Gun?
The Smith and Wesson 9mm was discovered in Fox's backpack. It had set off the school's metal detector during the security screening. The gun had a full magazine. However, there was no bullet in its chamber.
The teacher confirmed that he is the legal owner of the firearm. He then told authorities that he accidentally brought the gun to school. Fox explained that he had visited a firing range over the weekend and forgot it was still in his possession.
Fox is being charged with carrying a weapon on school property. He was then taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
The School Sent A Letter to Parents
According to WLTX, a letter was sent to the parents and staff of Blythewood High School. It read:
"I want to inform you about an incident on our campus today. During a routine safety screening, a loaded firearm was discovered in the backpack of a guest teacher. The situation was handled swiftly and appropriately—our School Resource Officer and the Richland County Sheriff's Department were immediately notified, and the guest teacher was immediately taken into custody and arrested.
I want to reassure you that at no point was anyone threatened or in danger. Students remained unaware of the situation as it unfolded. This incident highlights the importance and effectiveness of our safety measures, including continuous safety screenings, which worked exactly as intended to identify and address a potential concern before it could pose any risk.
Transparency is a core value at our school, and we felt it was important to share this information with you. The safety and well-being of our students and faculty remain our top priority, and we are taking every measure to ensure our campus remains a safe environment for learning.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your trust and support as we continue to prioritize the safety of our school community."
