Connecticut Middle School Teacher Arrested After Bringing a Gun to Class

A middle school science teacher in Newtown, Connecticut — the same city where many young students were killed after the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School — was arrested Wednesday morning for allegedly bringing a loaded gun into his classroom.

Newtown police responded to calls at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, when they detained the teacher, identified by police as Jason M. Adams, after interviewing several witnesses who confirmed that he was in possession of a concealed firearm, WTNH-TV reported.

#BREAKING: Newtown teacher arrested after allegedly carrying a gun at school: https://t.co/74FaofTmYx pic.twitter.com/sRwEnOqq19

— WFSB Channel 3 (@WFSBnews) April 6, 2016

Adams is an eighth grade instructor at Newtown Middle School, which is in the same district as Sandy Hook Elementary School. Possession of a gun on school property is is considered a class D felony under Connecticut law.

Although Adams has a valid Connecticut Pistol Permit, according to WTNH, that did not matter because of the state law that strictly prohibits all firearms on the public campus.

The teacher was charged with Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds. He has since been released on his own recognizance and will appear in Danbury court April 20.

"This matter is very serious and troubling," the Newtown School System said in a statement, adding that the school and the police "took immediate steps to address the matter" by "immediately" detaining Adams.

The statement went on to say that Adams has been placed on administrative leave for his actions while the police conduct their 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," the school system continued.

The Newtown Police Department has since added that Adams "was never a threat" to students and confirmed that "no one was in danger."

Following the 2012 attack that left 26 dead, Newtown has been at the center of the gun control debates dominating Capitol Hill.

—

Follow the author of this story on Twitter:

Follow @tregp