A man is facing a charge of terroristic threatening in the first degree after an incident at the Mammoth Spring Elementary School.
According to the affidavit for 43-year-old Michael Smith, on April 4, around 3:45 p.m., Chief James Turnbough received a call from the Mammoth Spring Elementary School about a custody dispute that had taken place at the school when the mother of a student contacted the father of the children who came and picked the children up from the school.
Smith arrived a short time later to pick the children up but was informed they had already been taken home at which time he placed his truck in reverse and accelerated at a high rate of speed toward the school in an aggressive manner. After speaking with staff, it was learned Smith seemed like he was going to drive into the front of the school, but then exited this truck, and went inside the school repeatedly pushed the button to enter the school and began beating on the door.
The staff were afraid for their safety and locked themselves in an office room together and called Chief Turnbough at which time Smith left.
Officers who arrived on scene were also told Smith had threatened to physically harm a teacher the week prior.
In speaking with the school’s principal, it was said Smith had come in to speak a week prior about one of the school’s staff members and said “I’ll go slap the b**** on the head”.
A warrant was issued for Smith whose bond has been set at $5,000.
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