A 70-year-old Louisiana elementary school gym teacher, Robert Mitcham, has been arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot third-grade students at Downsville Community Charter School. Mitcham was charged with terrorizing after reportedly telling students he “had bullets for his gun and he would bring it to the school and shoot,” according to the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office. He allegedly warned that “some of the students would not survive.”
The incident came to light when a concerned parent reported it to authorities on Tuesday, stating that Mitcham had become upset during class and made the threatening remarks. The parent told police that their child and other students were frightened by the threats. Investigators later discovered that Mitcham also allegedly said there were “too many of y’all to get rid of” and that he “only had six bullets in his gun.”
When an older student reported the incident to another teacher, Mitcham apologized to the class. He later claimed to deputies that he had not meant the threats seriously but was feeling overwhelmed and frustrated by the students’ behavior.
Mitcham was arrested on Thursday and charged with terrorizing. His bond was set at $15,000, and a judge issued a condition prohibiting him from returning to the school pending the case’s resolution.
Sheriff Dusty Gates reminded the community to stay vigilant and report any potential threats: “If you see something, say something,” he urged. Gates also emphasized the presence of school resource officers and encouraged the use of anonymous tip services to report any concerns of violence.
The principal of Downsville Community Charter School, Tony Cain, issued a statement noting that the school is legally restricted from commenting on the specifics of the case. However, he asserted that the parent’s allegations and those circulating on social media were not consistent with the firsthand accounts provided by students who witnessed the incident. Cain expressed confidence in the students’ truthful recounting of events.
