UNION PARISH, La. — A Louisiana teacher was recently arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot and kill students.
According to the Union Parish Sheriff's Office, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, deputies were contacted by a parent of a student at Downsville Community Charter School (DCCS). They were told a P.E. teacher, identified as Robert Mitcham, 70, of Ruston, got mad at his third grade students the week prior and said he “had bullets for his gun and he would bring it to the school and shoot." The parent said Mitcham also claimed “some of the students would not survive."
The parent said their child, and others in the class, were scared.
UPSO deputies began an investigation and interviewed additional witnesses whose testimonies matched up with the original complaint.
"It was additionally learned that Mitcham allegedly further told the students that there was 'too many of y’all to get rid of,' and he 'only had six bullets in his gun,'" the UPSO said. "Witnesses stated that when an older student told another teacher, Mitcham then apologized to the students."
Officials then spoke with Mitcham who said he got overwhelmed and just wanted the children to settle down, further stating that he was not threatening them.
Mitcham was later arrested and booked into the Union Parish Detention Center for terrorizing. His bond was set at $15,000