Anne Arundel Co. substitute teacher arrested after gun found in backpack had previous weapons charge
In a shocking incident, a substitute teacher in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, was arrested after a loaded handgun was discovered in his backpack at Glen Burnie High School. The incident prompted a lockdown, leaving parents and community members concerned about school safety.
The teacher, Derric Simms, now facing serious charges, had a previous weapons charge dating back to 1999. Although the school system claims that Simms passed all necessary background checks, many parents are calling for stronger security measures and expressing their worries about the safety of their children.
This alarming incident highlights the importance of stringent protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of students in educational institutions.
Headline
Anne Arundel Co. substitute teacher arrested after gun found in backpack had previous weapons charge
Introduction
In a shocking incident, a substitute teacher in Anne Arundel County was arrested after a loaded gun was found in their backpack at Glen Burnie High School. This discovery prompted a lockdown, raising concerns about school security measures and the safety of students. The teacher, Derric Simms, now faces serious charges, including illegal possession of a gun due to a previous conviction. This incident has left parents worried about the future safety of their children at Glen Burnie High School.
Background Information
Earlier this week, a substitute teacher in Anne Arundel County was taken into custody after a gun was discovered in their backpack at Glen Burnie High School. The incident sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the importance of school security measures. The discovery of the gun led to a lockdown, causing anxiety among students and parents.
Furthermore, it was revealed that Derric Simms, the substitute teacher, had a previous weapons charge dating back to 1999. This raises concerns about the vetting process for teachers and questions about how Simms was allowed to work in a school environment despite this previous conviction.
Charges and Arrest
Derric Simms now faces serious charges related to the possession of a gun on school property. Additionally, Simms has been charged with illegal possession of a gun due to their previous conviction. The presence of a loaded handgun in a school setting is a grave offense and puts the safety of students and staff at risk.
School leaders have expressed their concern over the situation and are cooperating fully with law enforcement to ensure the safety of their students. It is important to note that Simms passed all the background checks required by the school system, leading to questions about the effectiveness of these checks in preventing individuals with previous convictions from being employed.
Parental Concerns
The discovery of a gun in a teacher’s backpack has left parents deeply concerned about the security measures in place at Glen Burnie High School. Parents believe that the school district should have stronger security protocols to ensure the safety of their children. The fact that the individual responsible for bringing the gun onto school grounds was a hired teacher, rather than a stranger, has escalated these concerns and made the incident feel even more personal.
Brandi Smith, a parent whose child will be attending Glen Burnie High School next year, expressed her worries about the incident. She hopes that nothing similar will happen when her child starts attending the school, and emphasizes the importance of feeling confident in the safety measures implemented by the district.
Discovery of the Gun
The gun was found last Friday at around 2 p.m. by a staff member. It was discovered in a backpack that had been left behind in a classroom during the transition between classes. Thankfully, no students came in contact with the backpack or the gun. However, the proximity of the incident to the community has left parents feeling terrified and concerned for the safety of their children.
Legal Actions
Derric Simms is currently in jail, held without bond, due to the serious charges he is facing. Additionally, he has been permanently banned from future employment at Anne Arundel County Schools. These legal actions reflect the gravity of the situation and the need to ensure the safety of students.
Conclusion
The arrest of a substitute teacher after a gun was found in their backpack at Glen Burnie High School has raised significant concerns about school security measures and the safety of students. Parents are worried about the potential risks their children face in the future, and this incident has sparked a discussion about the effectiveness of background checks for teachers. It is crucial that the school district takes immediate action to strengthen security protocols and address parental concerns to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
Additional News
In addition to the incident at Glen Burnie High School, several other noteworthy news events have taken place recently:
- A suspect has been arrested for breaking windows at Gov. JB Pritzker’s home in Chicago.
- Human remains were discovered in west Fort Worth.
- An impaired driver was arrested for striking and killing a pedestrian in Towson.
- An arrest has been made in the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Lamarcus Dewayne Winn.
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