ALLEN, Texas — A security guard at an Allen elementary school left his gun in the adult restroom reserved for teachers and staff, according to an email sent to parents.
The incident happened Tuesday at Story Elementary off Malone Road in Allen.
The security guard, who is contracted by the district to work at the school, had entered the adult restroom reserved for teachers and staff and left his firearm in there, the email said. Approximately 56 seconds after the guard left, a teacher entered the restroom and found the gun. The teacher instantly alerted Story Elementary administration, according to the email sent to parents.
The Allen Independent School District contracts its security guards – which are now mandated by Texas law through the passage of HB 3 – through L&P Global Security, district officials told WFAA. Charles Hollis, director of operations for L&P Global Security told WFAA the employee was fired immediately for violating company policy and has been replaced.
L&P continues providing security at several Allen ISD locations, Hollis told WFAA.
"He did take his gun belt off and hooked it on the door and took his gun out of the holster, which is a direct violation of our policy," Hollis said. "It was human error and it was just a mistake he made. And that's really the bottom line on it. But it's a mistake that can't be made."
"He was very remorseful and he was embarrassed," Hollis added. "He's not a bad man but he violated our policy, so he can't work for us anymore."
The letter to parents from Allen ISD says an Allen police officer was also on campus and collected the firearm.
No students accessed the staff restroom during the incident, the letter said.
District officials told WFAA the contracted security guard has been "removed from rotation at any Allen ISD school for any security duty in the future."
"I understand this news may be unsettling, but I felt it was vital to share it with you," principal Claudia Harrison's email to parents said. " The safety of your children will always remain my priority, and I believe we can promote a safe environment if we establish open and transparent lines of communication."
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