ROCKPORT, Maine — An education technician at Camden-Rockport Elementary School was charged Friday with possession of a firearm on public school property after a loaded handgun fell out of her lunch bag, according to police.
Meagan M. Collier, 23, of Sidney was issued a summons by Rockport police after a loaded Glock .380 handgun she had forgotten in her lunch bag fell out onto the floor in a staff lounge, Chief Randy Gagne said in a press release issued Friday afternoon.
The lunch bag fell out of the staff refrigerator when another staff member was taking an item out.
Gagne said the weapon had a loaded magazine inserted, but the chamber was empty which may have prevented an accidental discharge. No one was injured.
The weapon and staff lounge area were secured until police arrived and determined that the gun belonged to Collier.
“There is no indication that there were any ill intentions on the part of Collier,” Gagne said in the release. “This is more of a case where someone did not follow safe gun handling rules, and know where their weapon was at all times.”
School Administrative District 28 Superintendent Maria Libby said that Collier had taken the gun with her on a morning walk and forgotten she had it.
Collier cooperated with investigators and is scheduled to appear on the charge on Dec. 12 in Knox County Court, Gagne said.
Gagne said the matter will be referred to the Knox County district attorney’s office for consideration of additional charges.
Libby issued a statement to parents on Friday,
“I want to make you aware that a staff member found a loaded handgun, with no live round in the chamber, in a lunchbox in the CRES staff kitchen that was mistakenly brought into the school by a fellow staff member today. The proper authorities were notified immediately and responded promptly,” Libby stated.
“At no point was there any threat to anyone in the building, staff or students. Students were unaware that the incident occurred, and there was no disruption to the school day. Nothing is more important to the school than protecting the students in our care,” she said.
Collier was hired at the beginning of the school year to be a one-on-one technician in the Explorers Program for an autistic student.
Libby said she could not comment on the employment status of Collier.