(KSLTV)
OGDEN, Utah — Police said a school employee armed with his concealed carry weapon stopped a possible kidnapper at Lincoln Elementary School.
Ogden police said Ira Cox-Berry went to the playground Tuesday and grabbed an 11-year-old girl by the arm. A school employee confronted the man, who let go of the girl. The employee moved the girl and 19 other children inside the school and away from Cox-Berry.
Cox-Berry then punched a school window, police said. That’s when police said a school employee pulled his handgun while calling 911.
“[He] approached the window and tried to break the window to get into the classroom,” said Lt Bryan Eynon. “At that particular time, the school employee then drew a handgun and pointed it at Cox-Berry and he attempted to flee.”
He is a concealed carry permit holder. Officers arrested the Cox-Berry when they arrived.
Ogden district spokesman Jer Bates said the employees did everything right. They have been trained to remove students from the situation, lock school doors and when all else fails, confront the suspect.
“We’re grateful that an adult was at the scene and had the presence of mind to intervene and take steps to ensure both student safety and the safety of fellow employees,” Bates told KSL TV.
Officers said Cox-Berry was high on drugs and did not know the children. He yelled “Emily” but that was not the name of the girl he grabbed. He was booked into the Weber County Jail on suspicion of attempted child kidnapping.
A crisis-response team was at the school to counsel any students as needed.