Police: Man brings 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle" into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Virginia

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Christopher Johnson

/ Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office

(CBS/AP) STRASBURG, Va. - Christopher Johnson is accused of walking into northern Virginia's Sandy Hook Elementary School carrying a 2x4 board bearing the words "High Powered Rifle."

Johnson, 33, was arrested after being detained by a school resource officer. Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office Major Scott Proctor told CBS affiliate WTVR that Johnson was approached by a school employee immediately after he entered the school. He said the school resource officer arrived "seconds later."

Proctor said he was not sure why Johnson entered the school, however he said it appeared Johnson wanted to make a point about school security.

Proctor was not aware if Johnson had a child at the school, which shares the same name as the school in Newtown, Conn. where a gunman opened fire last week, killing 26 people before turning the gun on himself.

Proctor told the station that resource officers are assigned to all the schools within the county and that the department planned to revisit school safety measures following the Newtown tragedy.

Johnson is charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. He is being held without bond in the county jail. It is unclear if Johnson has retained an attorney.

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by dbryceman December 21, 2012 2:40 PM EST

Wow. Why wasn't there any security at this school to prevent him from just walking through the door? You know, the initial reports in Connecticut were that the shooter was let into the school through the front door - and later they changed the story to say he forced his way in. I'm not so sure anymore. Obviously, schools have no real interest in the safety of their students. If this man had actually been a threat, do you suppose we'd be hearing about the lack of security or do you think all we'd hear about is how we need more gun control? It is frustrating that the media constantly ignores the security failures at these schools while they preach gun control.

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by talpane December 21, 2012 5:34 PM EST: Do we really want to have the whole country changed into an armed encampment? That's your answer? Is that what the world has come to? Or is it just another chance for gun manufactures to manipulate the populace into believing they need assault rifles to protect themselves? That sounds a little too much like life in Iraq to me.


by get_down December 20, 2012 11:08 PM EST: Just a middle-aged punk trying to get desperately needed attention which his parent was or parents were not able to give to him.; Reply to this comment


by EdwinGene December 20, 2012 7:45 PM EST: What is wrong with people? Why do they think **** like this is funny or even acceptable?; Reply to this comment