‘Very scary’: Armed guard fired after leaving gun in Arlington elementary school bathroom
An armed security guard at an Arlington elementary school has been fired after leaving their duty belt, which included a handgun and pepper spray, in a restroom on campus Tuesday, officials said.
The security officer, who was contracted through Tier One, left the belt in the restroom at 1:25 p.m. A staff member found it at 1:31 p.m. and reported the incident, the principal of Jones Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language said in a letter to parents. No students entered the restroom during that time.
“The Arlington ISD appreciates the swift action taken by Tier One to remove the campus security officer from the district and immediately address protocols with their staff members,” the letter states.
Tier One spokesperson Timothy Grega told the Star-Telegram that the officer was immediately placed on suspension and then terminated following an investigation. The company is also conducting a policy review.
According to Grega, Tier One school security officers are only allowed to use campus restrooms clearly designated for adults. The restroom at Jones Academy was shared by adults and certain ages of students, he said.
School security officers carry a duty pistol, spare magazines, pepper spray, handcuffs, a radio and a tourniquet on their duty belts, Grega said. As a result of this incident, there will be an emphasis on “responsibility and accountability for all items” included in officer training.
The security guard had been with Tier One less than a year and didn’t have a background in law enforcement or military, Grega said.
Kacie Elwood told KXAS-TV that her two children attend Jones Academy, and the incident prompted her to have “a hard conversation” with them about what to do if they or a friend ever find a gun at school.
“Very scary situation,” Elwood said to KXAS.
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