NEWTOWN, Conn. (WTNH) – A Newtown teacher has been arrested after allegedly bringing a firearm to the town’s middle school.
Newtown Police responded to the middle school on Middle Street at 9:00 Wednesday morning. Police were advised by school security personnel that they had detained Jason M. Adams after interviewing witnesses and determined that Adams had entered the school carrying a concealed firearm. Adams possesses a valid Connecticut Pistol Permit.
“I’m shocked that anyone would do this, I don’t know what he’s thinking,” said Alison Thomas, who has a son enrolled in the Newton school system.
Police and the Newtown Public School system commenced an investigation that determined Adams was in violation of a state statute that strictly forbids the possession of a firearm on school property.
Police say there was never any threat and no one at the school was in any danger. No one was hurt. Officers say they’re investigating why he brought the gun to school.
“I’m a gun owner myself but I know when I have my gun with me,” said Gary Hewitt of Newtown. “I don’t think, not only in Newtown, but any school, you don’t need a gun in them.”
WTNH stopped by Adams’ Newtown home to get his side of the story and were told by a woman who answered the door, “Go away! Go away! Right now!”
Adams was charged with Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds. He has been released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in Danbury court on April 20.
In a statement, the Newtown School System says:
“This matter is very serious and troubling, both the Newtown Public School system and the Newtown Police Department took immediate steps to address the matter. The teacher was immediately detained by security personnel. The teacher has additionally been placed on administrative leave pending an administrative investigation. Both agencies have been working closely together to investigate the incident and are taking precautions to ensure the continued
safety of our students, staff and community members.”
Sandy Hook Elementary School, a school within the Newtown system, was the site of the second deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
A total of 26 people, including 20 schoolchildren, were killed at Sandy Hook on December 14, 2012. The shooter also killed his mother at their home.
Families of the victims have spoken against gun violence and have pushed for stricter gun laws in Connecticut and across the U.S. A group of families additionally filed a suit against the maker of the gun used in the shooting, Remington.CNN contributed to this report