COLUMBUS, Ohio — A man was arrested after bringing multiple weapons on the grounds of a west Columbus middle school Wednesday afternoon.
The Columbus Division of Police received a call from Westmoor Middle School just after 2:20 p.m. on a report of a man who entered the school while in possession of a handgun and a machete.
The caller told police that the suspect had the gun in a holster on his hip and the machete attached to his leg. They were able to identify the suspect as 43-year-old Bryan Johnson.
Officers arrived at the scene just after 2:35 p.m. and located Johnson outside of the school, but he was no longer in possession of either weapon.
According to court documents, school staff and other witnesses said that Johnson entered the school to pick up his child who is a student there, but quickly exited and put the handgun and machete inside his car.
Johnson was detained without incident.
During the investigation, police recovered a machete, a hatchet and a Glock-manufactured BB gun from Johnson's vehicle that was parked at the school.
Johnson has been charged with illegal conveyance of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone.
Columbus City Schools released the following statement after the incident:
"Our students' and staff's safety and well-being is our utmost priority. As a precaution, Westmoor Middle School increased its security level just before dismissal after a staff member noticed a parent with a weapon on their person. The school called Columbus Police while the Safety and Security specialist directed the parent away from the building. Columbus Police responded and detained the individual. Officers provided an all-clear just before 3:00 p.m., and students were dismissed for the day."