Police investigating after Monessen teacher brings firearm to school
The superintendent of Monessen City School District said police are investigating after a firearm was found in a teacher’s desk Thursday.
Dr. Robert Motte sent a letter to parents informing them the weapon had been found at Monessen Elementary Center. Motte wrote in the letter that the teacher has a license to carry a firearm. The teacher has not been identified.
Motte said Friday that officials discovered the firearm Thursday morning in the course of a separate, unrelated investigation. According to Motte, this investigation was related to Title IX but declined to elaborate on the specifics.
“We were actually doing another investigation, and through that questioning it came out,” Motte said. “We immediately responded to it.”
According to Motte, the teacher brought the firearm that day and it was located in the desk. The teacher was sent home Thursday, and is currently not working. Motte said the teacher will be further disciplined by the district, but declined to say to what extent.
There is also a criminal investigation into the matter.
“Monessen Police Department are involved, and detectives from the Westmoreland County district attorney’s office,” Motte said.
Monessen police Chief David Yuhasz did return a phone call seeking comment Friday.
In the letter to parents, Motte wrote that “at no time were students or staff in harm or danger.” He reiterated that message Friday morning.
“I thought it was handled promptly, effectively. Everyone involved was concerned and did their jobs well. No one was unsafe at any time. It was secured very quickly,” Motte said.