Georgia high school teacher fires gun in class, injuring nobody but feeding gun debate
Dalton High School in Dalton, Georgia, was put on lockdown and evacuated Wednesday after a popular social studies teacher, Jesse Randal Davidson, fired a handgun through an outside window. Nobody was injured from the gunshot, but one student hurt her ankle in the rush to get out of the school. Davidson, 53, fired the gun at about 11:30 a.m., during his planning period, after students and then Principal Steve Bartoo were unable to get into the classroom, Bartoo said. When he returned with a key, Bartoo said, Davidson "slammed the door before I could open it and he said, 'Don't come in here, I have a gun.'"
Davidson was taken into police custody after a standoff with police that lasted 30 to 45 minutes, police spokesman Bruce Frazier said, and the motive is still unclear. "I don't know whether he was just firing the gun off to let people know to back off or what," Frazier said. But it did not take long for Dalton High students to tie their fright to the national debate on gun violence and arming teachers, as President Trump and the NRA have suggested.
Nathangel Lopez, who posted that photo, later said about arming teachers: "At first, I was thinking that that might have been a good idea. I am now totally against it."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
What are Lucy Letby's grounds of appeal?
Talking Point Convicted former nurse's legal team claims judge at original trial wrongly refused her applications
By The Week UK Published
-
Grindr 'shared user HIV status' with ad firms, lawsuit claims
Speed Read LGBTQ dating app accused of breaching UK data protection laws in case filed at London's High Court
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
The best dog-friendly hotels around the UK
The Week Recommends Take a break with your four-legged friend in accommodation that offers you both a warm welcome
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
EPA limits carcinogenic emissions at 218 US plants
Speed Read The new rule aims to reduce cancer-causing air pollution in areas like Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Strong Taiwan earthquake kills 9, injures hundreds
Speed Read At magnitude 7.4, this was Taiwan's biggest earthquake in 25 years
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
EPA sets auto pollution rule that boosts EVs
Speed Read The Biden administration's new rules will push US automakers toward electric vehicles and hybrids
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
More than 150 people dead following earthquake in Nepal
Speed Read The death toll is expected to rise as rescue workers continue digging through rubble
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Nearly 1,000 birds dead in one night after striking building in Chicago
Speed Read The birds died after colliding with the McCormick Place convention center next to Lake Michigan
By Justin Klawans Published
-
At least 1 dead at Burning Man as thousands remain stranded from flooding
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Earthquake rattles Southern California as Tropical Storm Hilary hits
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published