Loaded Gun Found in School Parking Lot; Teacher Arrested, All Classes Canceled

Manassas Park Public Schools Close for Investigation; Police Say "No Direct Threat"

A loaded handgun was discovered in a local public school parking lot, prompting a district-wide school closure and the arrest of the weapon's owner, an active teacher.

The Manassas Park Police Department in Virginia announced on the 26th that Veronica Gooch-Ray, an art teacher at Manassas Park High School residing in Potomac Falls, was arrested on charges of possessing a firearm on school grounds.

According to police and school officials, the incident began around 6:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Manassas Park Middle School. A school district transportation employee conducting routine pre-arrival safety checks found a handgun lying between school vans and immediately notified the police.

Upon responding to the scene, police determined that the firearm was loaded with live ammunition. The owner was identified as Gooch-Ray, a teacher at the adjacent high school.

Prioritizing the safety of parents and students, the school district issued an abrupt cancellation of classes around 7:00 a.m. The closure was a preemptive measure to allow the police to conduct a thorough investigation and campus search without disruption.

A spokesperson for Manassas Park City Schools clarified in a statement, "The recovered firearm was confirmed to belong to a staff member, and it was determined that there was no direct or credible threat directed at the schools or students."

The teacher was immediately placed on administrative leave in accordance with school district policies. Following the conclusion of the investigation, education officials confirmed the campus was safe and announced that regular classes for all schools would resume on the 27th.

Meanwhile, police are actively investigating the precise circumstances surrounding the incident, including how and for how long the handgun was left unattended in the parking lot. The school district expressed gratitude to the transportation employee whose prompt reporting eliminated the hazard and prevented a potential crisis, as well as to the police for their swift response.