Staff member caught with gun in school parking lot, Mass. officials say
An employee of the Brockton Public School District was found with a gun in the school parking lot while engaging in inappropriate behavior with another adult, according to the school district.
Bryce Hatch was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon on school grounds after the incident on Wednesday. He was arraigned in Brockton District Court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty. He was released on personal recognizance.
Around 9 p.m. on Jan. 14, two people, including a member of Raymond School's facilities staff, were found in a vehicle in the school's parking lot, according to a message shared with families. The two adults were engaging in "inappropriate behavior," the message stated.
"Upon further investigation, School Police reported locating a firearm in the staff member's possession," the school said.
Hatch was immediately arrested and placed on leave. He was not in the building Thursday.
"Unfortunately, School Police cannot say with certainty whether this individual brought the firearm into the school building," the message read. "While this individual possessed a license to carry a firearm, state law is clear that there is no place for firearms on school property."
The school district and police are still investigating the incident. The district is also working to conduct criminal background checks on all employees throughout the district, "which it does at regular intervals in accordance with state law."
"This individual's choice to allegedly bring a firearm onto school grounds, whether inside the building or not, is a stunning violation of our collective trust and something we take extremely seriously," the school district wrote.
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