70-Year-Old Gym Teacher Arrested For Threatening To Shoot 3rd Graders [WATCH]

A 70-year-old gym teacher in Louisiana, Robert Mitcham, was arrested last week and charged with terrorizing after allegedly threatening to shoot his third-grade students at Downsville Community Charter School.

The incident, which occurred on September 10, left students frightened, and authorities launched an investigation following a parent’s report.

According to the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, Mitcham told the children that he “had bullets for his gun and he would bring it to the school and shoot,” adding that “some of the students would not survive.”

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He reportedly went on to say, “There’s too many of y’all to get rid of,” and that he “only had six bullets in his gun.” These alarming comments prompted immediate concern among both students and their parents.

The investigation began when a parent contacted the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday to report the threats.

The parent stated that their child, along with other students in the class, was scared following Mitcham’s remarks.

The Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division quickly became involved to assess the situation.

Witnesses informed investigators that Mitcham had made the comments out of frustration, claiming he was overwhelmed and simply wanted the children to settle down.

After another teacher was informed about the incident by an older student, Mitcham reportedly apologized to the students.

However, his actions led to his arrest two days later, on September 12.

Mitcham was charged with one count of terrorizing and taken into custody at the Union Parish Detention Center.

His bond was set at $15,000, and a judge from the Third District Court imposed a condition preventing Mitcham from returning to the school pending the outcome of the case.

The school’s principal, Tony Cain, addressed the situation in a statement, noting that while the school is limited in what it can legally discuss, the accounts provided by students to school staff differed from those reported by the parent.

“The allegations by the parent reporting to the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office and those on social media are NOT consistent with the first-hand accounts provided to school staff from the students who actually witnessed the incident,” Cain said. “We feel confident that the students were truthful and accurate with their accounting of the incident.”

Sheriff Dusty Gates also weighed in on the case, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and encouraging parents, students, and teachers to report any concerning behavior. “If you see something, say something,” Gates said, echoing a common refrain aimed at preventing potential violence in schools.

He reassured the community that Downsville Community Charter School has two school resource officers on campus every day to address any concerns.

The Sheriff’s Office urged anyone with concerns about school safety to contact local authorities, either through the Safe Schools Louisiana app, the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office app, or Crime Stoppers of Union Parish. Anonymous tips are also accepted to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Mitcham, who has been a teacher at the school, expressed regret to deputies during the investigation, explaining that he felt overwhelmed by the situation in the classroom and did not intend to actually threaten the children.

Despite his explanation, the severity of his comments and the fear they caused among the students led to his arrest and subsequent charges.

This incident is part of a broader concern about threats in schools. Sheriff Gates emphasized that law enforcement takes any potential threat to students seriously, whether or not the person making the threat intended to carry it out.

In a statement, Gates reminded the community that school safety is a top priority and that threats of violence, even if meant as jokes, will result in serious consequences.

As the case progresses, Mitcham remains barred from returning to the Downsville Community Charter School campus.

Local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that the school and its students are protected while the legal process unfolds.

This arrest has sparked further discussion on the importance of creating safe environments for students, as well as the critical need for teachers and school staff to handle stress and classroom disruptions appropriately.

The school district and law enforcement officials are working together to address the concerns raised by this incident and ensure that students feel safe in their learning environment

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