safety
Assistant principal accused of shooting a gun during a school break-in charged, police say
By Luke Tucker at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 8, 2026
· 1 min read
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - A former assistant principal in North Carolina was charged recently, weeks after he allegedly fired a shot during a school break-in.The break-in reportedly happened on May 25 at Hairston Middle School in Greensboro.Greensboro police said the assistant principal...
Key takeaway Greensboro police said the assistant principal, Charlie Wardell Smith, 54, told them he went to the school after getting a call about an alarm going off.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The recent charging of a former assistant principal in North Carolina for discharging a weapon on educational property raises questions about school safety protocols in Atlanta . While the incident occurred in Greensboro, it highlights the potential risks that school administrators and staff may face when responding to break-ins or other security threats. In Atlanta, school officials and law enforcement must consider the implications of this case and review their own procedures for handling similar situations. The fact that the assistant principal in this case felt compelled to take matters into his own hands, even if it meant firing a shot in the air, suggests that there may be gaps in the support and resources available to school staff when responding to security incidents. As the new school year approaches, Atlanta's school administrators and public safety officials should take a closer look at their emergency response plans to ensure that they are adequate and effective.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? GREENSBORO, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - A former assistant principal in North Carolina was charged recently, weeks after he allegedly fired a shot during a school break-in.The break-in reportedly happened on May 25 at Hairston Middle School in Greensboro.Greensboro police said the assistant principal...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Luke Tucker at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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