Two employees at Edwards Middle School in Rockdale County found themselves behind bars this Wednesday, following an unannounced security check by the county’s sheriff's office. The pair, identified as Paul Schwartz, a 63-year-old math teacher, and his son Paul Schwartz Jr., 21, and listed as contracted staff, have been charged with possession of weapons on school grounds and making terroristic threats, respectively, as confirmed by the sheriff's office and reported by FOX 5 Atlanta and Atlanta News First.
The incident at Edwards Middle School, which sparked a temporary lockdown, involved deputies spotting suspicious behavior from the two men, which culminated in the discovery of two razor blade knives in the elder Schwartz’s possession while the younger Schwartz was charged with making threats, amidst a climate of heightened vigilance following a recent deadly shooting at Apalachee High School—and, in the aftermath, schools have been on high alert, with multiple arrests stemming from various threats, that's according to information detailed by officials and published by the news outlets.
As per the school district's update, provided to FOX 5 Atlanta, "Paul Schwartz is no longer an employee of Rockdale County Public Schools," specifying his tenure as starting from January 2015 to September, and adding that "Contractor Paul Schwartz, Jr. is no longer affiliated with RCPS." The district reiterated its commitment to the "safety, security, and well-being of our students, families, and staff," urging the community to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office has yet to elucidate if there's any direct connection between the tense environment following the shooting and the malfeasance at Edwards Middle School however they have emphasized that their ongoing vigilance and cooperation with the school district in ensuring student safety remains unwavering—this stance has been echoed in their pledge, "The safety of the students at Rockdale County schools is a priority," laid out in a statement cited by Atlanta News First.
