A staff member at Lexington's Estabrook Elementary School has been put on leave after leaving a holstered handgun in plain sight inside their parked car, authorities said. The incident occurred Wednesday morning and was promptly responded to by local law enforcement. According to Boston 25 News, the school personnel is now facing charges of improper storage of a firearm and carrying a firearm on school property.
The Lexington Police received a call just after 9:00 a.m. and acted swiftly, collaborating with school administrators to track down the owner of the car. The staffer admitted to owning the gun and was found to have a valid Massachusetts License to Carry Firearms as reported by Newport Dispatch. In a statement, Lexington town officials stressed that "no students or staff were in any danger" and that "no threats were made."
Police took possession of both the firearm and the firearms license while the school worker was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The situation has brought attention to the significance of gun safety, especially in environments meant to be secure spaces for children.
"The Lexington Police and School Department are dedicated to providing a safe environment for students and staff on all district campuses," town officials said in a statement obtained by Boston 25 News. They commended the quick action of the school's administrative staff, particularly the member who spotted the potentially dangerous situation and immediately notified proper channels.
This incident comes at a time when gun control and school safety continue to be a highly debated topics across the nation. The Lexington Police and School Department reiterate their commitment to the safety of their students and faculty, a sentiment echoed in the community's collective sigh of relief that the oversight did not escalate into an actual threat.
