‘Some… Students Would Not Survive’: Louisiana Teacher Allegedly Threatens to Shoot Third Graders; Parents Outraged After He Stayed on the Job for Weeks

A 70-year-old physical education teacher at a charter school in Union Parish, Louisiana, has been arrested two weeks after he allegedly threatened to shoot and kill his third-grade students, according to deputies in the northern Louisiana parish.& Robert Mitcham, of Ruston, was taken into custody Sept. 17 after a parent came forward with allegations that Mitcham told his class he would bring bullets and a gun to Downsville Community Charter School and that “some of the students would not survive.” According to the witness, students in the class became frightened by Mitcham’s threats and, given the current climate of school shootings, took him at his word. Robert Mitcham teacher Downsville Community Charter School was arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot students. (Photo: KTRE/YouTube screenshot) Investigators with the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office said Mitcham allegedly told students that there were “too many of y’all to get rid of,” and that he “only had six bullets in his gun.” Witnesses told investigators that after an older student reported the incident to another teacher, Mitcham apologized to the class. Deputies said Mitcham explained that the students were being rowdy, and he felt overwhelmed, adding that he was only trying to get the children...