Man impersonating an officer was arrested for bringing weapon to child's elementary school
A man impersonating an officer was arrested Friday for possessing a weapon at a Johnston county elementary school.
Nathan James Bailey, 34, has been charged with possessing a firearm on educational property and impersonating a law enforcement officer.
According to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, Bailey, who has a child at Dixon Road Elementary school, entered the campus wearing a tactical raid vest with a badge attached to the outside and a firearm on his side.
Situations like this can be unsettling to the community, especially people like Dia Smith, who has a granddaughter, Oshiana Smith, enrolled in West Smithfield elementary as a 5th grader.
"Anytime someone can come in with a gun, shoot and kill, I'm always concerned about this," Dia said. "I'm concerned about her all during the day; I always pray,"
Bailey departed from the campus before law enforcement arrived.
Deputies issued a warrant for Bailey's arrest, and he surrendered at the Johnston County Sheriff's Office.
Parents and students are practicing more vigilance now that this is the 2nd incident this week involving weapons detected on school campus in Johnston County.
"When I go to school, I mostly like to watch my surroundings now because anything can happen, really," Oshiana said. "There could be maybe a little bit more security."
A weapon detection program is in its pilot phase across Johnston County Schools was what helped alert staff to Bailey.
The school staff recognized Bailey as a parent as he passed through the weapons detection system. He was then asked to leave the building with the firearm.
Conor Healy, Director of Govt Research, IPVM, who researches the impacts of surveillance technologies, says these weapon detections can only do so much.
"They will not stop mass shootings at school, period," Healy said.
Healy is wary, however, of school districts spending millions on weapons detection systems.
"Very easy to spend that money and act as if you've solved the problem of school violence," said Healy.
Bailey is currently being held in the Johnston County Jail under a $12,000 bond. Detectives were able to seize the firearm, tactical vest and badge he used.
Dia believes that it may not stop incidents such as this, but the weapons system does help.
"May not pick up everything, but at least some of the guns that come in there," Dia said.
