Authorities in California say a middle school teacher arrested on suspicion of a road rage incident and robbery earlier this year also kept a loaded handgun in his classroom at the San Jose school where he taught.

According to the Mercury News, 35-year-old Charles Ha So was recently identified as a suspect in the February incident.

He allegedly assaulted a man and stole his cellphone.

After a tactical unit within the San Jose Police Department executed an arrest warrant, detectives searched his classroom at Chaboya Middle School, according to police. The weapon was located inside of a satchel left alongside his other belongings.

School officials called So to the front office from his eighth-grade language arts class after authorities arrived with the intention to arrest him.

Upon his arrival, he was arrested and transported to jail.

Sgt. Enrique Garcia said the gun was registered to So and “there is no indication at this time that he was going to use that handgun against staff or students.”

The suspect had not been employed by the Evergreen School District for long, according to a statement, and was on placed on administrative leave after administrators learned of the charges.

“We are beyond appalled that a teacher, even a brand-new one, would think it is remotely OK to bring a weapon into one of our schools,” said district spokesman Charles Crosby. The school’s principal reportedly notified parents of all students.

Police say the investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Sgt. Ray Vaughn by calling 408-277-4166 or the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP and svcrimestoppers.org.

[Featured image: Charles Ha So, San Jose Police Department]