PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WVEC) — A man who allegedly brought and accidentally fired a gun at a Portsmouth elementary school has turned himself in, police said.
According to police, the shooting happened November 20 at Simonsdale Elementary School. A spokeswoman for Portsmouth Public Schools said a parent brought a weapon onto campus shortly before 4 p.m., and it went off.
The bullet ricocheted and hit a woman in her lower body. She is expected to be okay.
"This is not something we ever want to hear in our school,” said Simonsdale Principal Tammy King. "I would suspect that this person knew the rules, but just did not have regard for the rules."
Antonio Duane Mills, 29, is charged with possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a firearm by a felon, and reckless handling of a firearm.
Mills turned himself in to police on Monday night.
A day after the shooting, the school district made sure there was a therapist on-hand to further help students.
“It’s critical to the learning environment," said school counselor Dr. Danny Holland. “We’re here in the building to help them. We’re here in the building to make their kids are successful.”
Dale Byrd, a parent, said the counseling is something his oldest kids might want.
“I’m glad that they’re being proactive I’m extremely glad they’re being proactive right now," said Byrd. “He (his son) was in tears yesterday and he knew what was going on and he’s aware of what a gun sounds like.”
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