WILSON’S MILLS – A Johnston County school teacher is facing criminal charges after she reportedly brought a handgun to school. The incident happened Tuesday at Wilson’s Mills Elementary School.
Heather Christina Fair was charged Wednesday with felony possession of a weapon on school/educational property and misdemeanor possession of a concealed weapon.
Fair reportedly told authorities that she was rushed when gathering her materials for work Tuesday morning and mistakenly placed her Glock personal handgun in her bag. She later discovered the gun, while inside the school building, during a meeting.
Wilson’s Mills Police said Ms. Fair brought the gun to the attention of supervising staff who reported the incident to law enforcement.
Regarding the criminal charges, Police Chief A. Z. Williams said, “In situations like this, it’s unfortunate but we have a no tolerance stance. The safety and security of our children and educational institutions come first.”
Chief Williams said the firearm’s magazine was loaded, but there was no round in the chamber.
We’re told that Heather Fair is a third grade teacher at Wilson’s Mills Elementary and has been employed as a school teacher for about 20 years.
Fair, age 51, of Goldsboro, turned herself in to authorities on Wednesday to be served with the warrants. She was released on $2,500 secured bond.
On Thursday, JCPS said Ms. Fair is no longer employed by the school district. Her last day on the job was May 13. Officials declined to say if she resigned or was terminated. Officials also declined to comment on the incident.
—
This story has been updated
If we are going to allow private school teachers to be armed, I do not see the problem here.
While I agree with your stance I disagree with your comment because you should realize when you have a gun on you or that it is secure in its location. She made an honest mistake yes, but a little irresponsible as a gun owner.
It’s unfortunate that she will no longer be able to teach after making a mistake and doing what she thought was the right thing in bringing it to the attention of her supervisor. Days off, yes, criminal charges, NO!
Based on the story, there was no malicious activity planned; therefore, his should be thrown out in a court of law quickly. Hopefully, she doesn’t lose her job…after all, she reported it immediately.
Jus’ Sayin’.
I totally agree
She should have took it to her vehicle and locked it up. I’m sure some were salivating when she told them.
Mistakes happen. She did the right thing by turning herself in. That speaks volumes about her character.
Also, what does her firing teach the kids about honesty?
She turned herself in? Not many people would do that. Wonder if she regrets it if that is the case.
Being a third grade teacher, She probably taught Honesty is the best Policy.
But it didn’t work for her.
So this is prosecuted but other crimes against high ranking law enforcement officers are ignored? Joco justice.
Mess like this makes people not wanna do the right thing.. note to all teachers if you accidentally do something like this DO NOT DO THE RIGHT THING AND TELL THE TRUTH just keep your mouth shut 🙁 smdh and lost her job .. freaking stupidity !!!
If She brought it up herself why would they charge her ? They could have kept it safe till after school.
That’s just going to make people hide it if it was a mistake. Then a kid accidentally finds it …
My thoughts EXACTLY
I think she made a honest mistake, she reported it. I say dismiss the charges let her go on teaching.
Teachers have 2nd amendment rights too.
One of the few areas we agree on. The 2nd amendment is quite clear on this.
Why she reported the gun to the administration is beyond me. I would’ve taken my bag out to my car on break and put it in the glove box. There’s no way I’d report myself, if no one had seen it.
Absolutely ridiculous that she was charged. She noticed what she did wrong and brought it up to staff doing the right thing. People make mistakes, no one was hurt and she had no intention to use it. She could have kept her mouth shut and secured it in her vehicle without anyone knowing but instead did the supposedly right thing. Now she is being charged! I sure hope this doesn’t get her fired after 20 years.
She’s a HERO! We should have ALL teachers armed.
All teachers should be able to carry.. They only teach our kids and protect them.. This is wrong in so many ways. Ty Ms. Fair for being who you are..
This why this “law” needs to be changed… this is so stupid, and she admitted to it and still charged! if you have a permit, you should be allowed to carry it anywhere period. But tell me again how the “government” really wants to protect children….then allow firearms don’t punish people that are lawfully carrying. a competent teacher accidentally did it and gets her life ruined?! whoever brought these charges should be ashamed of themselves
I would like to ask everyone who reads this to call the District Attorney’s Office and request that this case be dismissed, If this lady has been teaching for 20 years she sure has paid her dues. Every parent that had a child in here class should be in court that day to show support for her.
If they didn’t charge then everyone would be complaining that she should be charged! If it was anyone else they would be, or if she was black, or a student, or a citizen, or whatever. Its a no win situation. Its a felony to bring a firearm on educational property. I’m not saying I agree with her being charged. Applying the law without judicial predjudice, being consistent and also common sense should be used.
That’s bad for her to be let go when she reports herself but when a assistant principal years ago had the auto mechanic class working on her car and students found the pistol nothing happened just swept under the rug
Great point!!!!!. Jcps protect ts principals and the higher ups.
Someone needs to drop those charges. She made an honest mistake and brought it to her bosses attention. She gets punished for being honest? But the parent who brought a gun to the other elementary school and was caught by the metal detectors or the students that bring weapons on purpose get off with nothing. Make it make sense
That’s what happens when you’re too honest
20 years gone. 😞 I would have kept quiet and tried to get the gun out the school as quickly as possible.
This is Johnston county folks, no malicious intent and obviously wasn’t on purpose but only to put money into the court house for lawyers and judges. Makes no sense.
I feel that every single one of us who had/has a child she has taught should stand with her. She has NEVER been a bad teacher! She was honest when most wouldn’t be. This is not ok!!! We should be there for here!
That’s how much jcps supports teachers. She made a mistake, didn’t try to hide it, turned herself in and then fired her. If she had just been dishonest and gone and locked it in her car she would have been fine. What a great lesson to teach people. Be honest…get fired. Jcps is an insane asylum. They hate teachers and have a boe that is about to as effective as a submarine on a screen door. Looney bin
Call Wilson Mills PD or the DAs Office…If you want to be heard
Every kid that brings a gun or other weapon on Ed property IS charged but Juvenile Justice doesn’t do anything so basically theres no penalty and it does not go on their record.
I’m sure she never expected to be charged when she told on herself, or she would just go lock it in her trunk, which is allowed, IF she had a concealed carry permit, (which she did not).
Remember some of these schools are covered by SROs from the municialities like Clayton PD, Smithfield, Selma and Wilson Mills, the Sheriff’s Office covers all the rest of the County schools so there could be differences in officer discretion and common sense between agencies. Hence some examples given above where common sense was used, (not swept under the rug)…
But a guy who ministered his daughter for 4 years got probation and the assistant DA was happy with that. Hypocrisy much?
And yet a man got supervised probation for pleading guilty to sexually assaulting multiple kids. Make it make sense JoCo. I mean da*n!
You don’t need a canceled carry permit to have a gun locked in your car it only has to be visible or lock in the glove box while you are in the car
It cannot be in your reach, concealed, without a permit. If you have a concealed permit you can have it concealed anywhere on person or in your car even on campus, but once you leave your vehicle, (on campus) it must be locked in trunk, console or glove box if lockable. She Would need a concealed permit to have it in her purse. If you don’t have it concealed, and you have it visible in your car, YES you may be good, UNTIL you drive on Educational property… Do not drive onto school property with a gun in your car in plain view!
We’re missing part of the story. While it says she brought it to the attention of her supervisors, we don’t know if that was after a student or colleague knew she had the gun. I agree with all the comments, however, part of me wonders what the rest of the story would reveal. If noone else saw the gun, she should have reported to her supervisor that she had an emergency and needed to go home. I’m sure her supervisor would prefer that a good teacher would do that. That would have been an honest thing to do, too. I’m careful who I blame before knowing the whole story. Details are important.
You are right. Could have been some devious ***** setting her up.
This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read! She literally told who she needed to she accidentally brought it yet she’s arrested and fired! Yet yall let bullies continue to hurt other kids and bring weapons to schools and they get a slap on the hand .. this world is screwed .. I stand with her a million percent!!
I once had a student bring a 8” blade knife to school. The admin considered it a manifestation of her “learning disability”. The kid didn’t miss one day of school. ( another county).
Marbury vs Madison: Any law repugnant to the Constitution is null and void. SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED. This is settled case law. Every area ruled “gun free” is nothing but a target for criminals. Every school employee that wants to carry should. If they need to demonstrate competency, then so be it. It would definitely put a quick end to school shootings when they do occur.
Tell us you failed History without telling us you failed History.
Just think if she would have had to use it in an active shooter situation then she would be hailed as a hero. Nonsense to lose her job over it she was not caught with the weapon just honesty gets her changed and punished.
Zero tolerance, except for the criminal. Quit using zero tolerance as a reason and start using common sense.
As you all know me by now, I am all in pro law, but this is just wrong. Sometimes there are reasons that things happen, and this is one of those times. The teacher has a good 20-year record, did the right thing by reporting it. DA, let this one go and give her job back. We need good teachers, and this one is good and honest.
It’s to bad that this happened, but she’s not above the law. Responsible gun ownership is a 24/7 requirement. If there’s a no tolerance policy she knew it and it’s her responsibility to abide by the law as a gun owner.
The law is the law for safety for everyone .she did the right thing. She should have kept her mouth shut and walked to car locked it up.
She should have followed the rules. No guns on educational property.
And this is why schools are seen as soft targets by deranged people. Change your mind.
Except by SRO’s and criminals…..
The only problem with this story in my opinion is the fact she said she accidentally placed her gun in her purse. Well, pretty sure if she had it with her other stuff then she probably has taken it to school more than once. Otherwise, I feel like placing a Glock in your purse is no accident. You know it can’t go to school with you… So, the handgun is chilling next to her lunchbox on the counter? Come on now….. I am all for 2A and believe certain teachers need to be armed at a school, but this one I agree with the charges…
This is simply ridiculous. It was a mistake . I know this lady very well and she doesn’t have a mean bone in her. She loves those kids and never had any intention on harming anyone. Besides anyone who does this profession must love kids and education. Parents know how kids can be. They are not angels every single day yet she took on the profession and love of children, your children for twenty years and you want to kick her to the curb for an honest mistake and being honest. Being honest is just the way she is. As you can tell being honest was her first and only thought. Not hurting anyone or trying to get away with anything that’s just not her. Do the right thing for her, the profession she loves and the children she loves also. Dismiss the charges and reinstate her. Also remove everything from her record. She shouldn’t have this following her every where she goes. I pray for all good things during this honest mistake. Everyone who knows her come and support her at her during her time of need. Love ya Heather your a good person.
Whoever snitched on her is a LOSER!
Yes, mistakes happen. I can’t imagine accidentally putting a handgun in my purse to go to work, especially at a grade school. Guns in schools is a serious topic. You’re obligated to know where your gun is, right? It’s not your car keys or cellphone. If it’s a mistake, it’s a big one, IMO. I know everyone thinks it’s unjust for her to lose her job, since she reported herself. My first thought was also why didn’t she just take it to her car, that’s what I would do. However, maybe she didn’t want her gun in her car on school property, out of her control? That part is very responsible.
By the way, you don’t do the right thing expecting a specific result. You do it because it’s right. The same goes for following school policy. A zero tolerance gun policy at school is exactly that. Zero tolerance. It’s not a space for a warning or time off or a Mulligan. It would be a huge violation of school policy to let it slide, and that would also be doing the wrong thing. Again, you do the right thing because it’s right, even if it’s unpleasant or unfortunate. The accountability falls on the teacher, the school, and the authorities. Why bother having policies or laws if the expectation is that they will always be flexible on a case by case basis? The lesson kids need to learn from this is that accountability for one’s actions is necessary, and policies and laws are for everyone’s safety. Also, that life isn’t fair.
Why did she tell it see what honest do all she had to do on her break took it to the car! Sometime you can’t-tell everything. that was stupid to tell on yourself!!
Yes she should had took it to car . This tells y’all the metal detectors don’t work. Waste of money since students bring stuff and that one parent few months backs had a gun
Lesson for teachers….never…NEVER… trust your administrators.
What is the lesson here?
“Do the right thing after an honest mistake, and we’ll fire you for it”
I think the lesson is “pay attention when you’re getting ready for work.”
There were a million and one better ways this mistake could have been handled. It sounds to me that administration has it out for her anyway. She could have done anything and administration would have recommended for her to be dismissed and HR approved it.
She did not enter through the weapon detector. They do work, but the staff has to be on point and make sure everyone walks through, even staff. I went to a school board meeting one time and that big cop guy was making even the board members walk through it. At first I thought he was being a lil bit “over the top” but then realized “why not?” If we all have too they should as well.