Texas Third Grader Finds Gun Left in Bathroom by Superintendent
The Rising Star ISD superintendent submitted his resignation Monday, weeks after a student found his firearm in a bathroom.
Photo: reewungjunerr, Adobe Stock
RISING STAR, Texas — A Texas superintendent has resigned the firearm he left unattended in a bathroom was discovered by a student.
Rising Star Independent School District (ISD) Superintendent Robby Stuteville submitted his resignation on Monday, a few days after parents and law enforcement first heard about the incident despite it happening back in January, reports KTAB.
Stuteville said he removed his weapon from his person when he was using the restroom and placed it in a stall. The gun was left unattended for about 15 minutes before a third grader found it and immediately notified a teacher. The teacher then reportedly sent a second student into the bathroom to confirm it was a real gun.
“There was never a danger other than the obvious,” Stuteville said of the incident. “This is one of those examples of guns in schools. Regardless of who takes responsibility, they are a considerable danger and one should school their child to be on the lookout for any unusual placement of a weapon or anything out of place.”
Rising Star Police Chief Don Braly said an active investigation was opened Wednesday after his office was notified of the incident.
“I can tell you that we are taking this very seriously. It’s under investigation,” he said. “When that investigation is concluded, the information and the facts, not rumors, will be turned over to the district attorney’s office.”
During a Rising Star ISD board meeting last Thursday, parents and community members voiced concerns regarding the incident and why it took so long for them to be notified, according to KTXS 12.
“For our kids’ protection, we need someone who is more responsible with a gun,” said Elizabeth Lee, who has two grandchildren attending Rising Star schools. “I was shocked because it happened early in January and we’re just now finding out about it. Mr. Stuteville is a good man but that was irresponsible.”
One attendee said the incident was an accident and is being overexaggerated.
“How many of your kids have access to guns in your own home? A bunch of you, including mine,” they said to the crowd. “I think it’s a mistake and I think that you pointing fingers at him for doing something like this is wrong.”
Parent Giovanni Mata said it was his son that the teacher reportedly sent to the bathroom to confirm the weapon was real.
“So the teacher asked another kid, my son… ‘Can you go see if it’s a real gun?’ Why would you send a kid? Why not send someone else?” he said. “If this was your kid in that situation I’m sure you would act completely different… You can’t say that was a mistake to leave a gun there. You can’t mistake a life.”
Stuteville said he and the school principal open carry on campus. While there are still restrictions on carrying firearms on K-12 campuses, a 2021 Texas law removed the requirement to have a license to carry a handgun in most public places.
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About the Author
Amy Rock, Executive Editor
Amy is Campus Safety’s Executive Editor. Prior to joining the editorial team in 2017, she worked in both events and digital marketing.
Amy has many close relatives and friends who are teachers, motivating her to learn and share as much as she can about campus security. She has a minor in education and has worked with children in several capacities, further deepening her passion for keeping students safe.
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So what happened to the teacher that sent ANOTHER CHILD to check a firearm?