A Florida father was arrested Monday afternoon after allegedly going to his son’s school with a loaded gun and threatening to kill staff.
According to ABC News, Christopher Freeman, 27, arrived at Bear Lakes Middle School in West Palm Beach in a wheelchair, and told faculty he would kill them if they didn’t let him speak with his son. A school resource officer reportedly took Freeman into custody after noticing a large gun sticking out of his pants as he stood in front of the main office.
WPTV obtained an arrest report which alleged that Freeman arrived at the school and said, “I want to see the guy who slammed my son. I’ve got something for him.”
Freeman reportedly claimed he received a FaceTime call from his son at 3 p.m., who cried and said a teacher slammed him.
Police said the middle school was placed under a code red lockdown as officers searched Freeman and found a loaded Romarm/Cugir AK-47 Mini Draco pistol in his possession. Freeman said he didn’t mean any harm and claimed he always carried his gun for protection, according to the news station.
The Panama City News Herald reported that Freeman also said the FaceTime call abruptly ended with his son’s phone going airborne, which led him to rush to the school— forgetting that a loaded gun was tucked in his pants.
According to WPTV, Freeman spoke over the phone with the assistant principal earlier in the day and told him, “If this isn’t my son, you’re all dead.”
Before his arrival, the assistant principal reportedly informed a school resource officer that Freeman was upset.
Freeman’s gun was equipped with an extended magazine loaded with 30 bullets and a round in the chamber, the News Herald reported, citing police. The school principal said Freeman never brandished the weapon or used it to threaten staff during Monday’s incident.
Records obtained by the outlet stated Freeman is currently facing weapon- and drug-related charges for a February 2018 traffic stop; he told police he had guns, which he had permits for, in his vehicle. His trial is set to begin next month.
Freeman is charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds, aggravated assault with a weapon, and disrupting the peace. A judge set his bond at $75,0000 and scheduled a court date for April 4.
[Featured Image: Christopher Freeman/Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office]
