A math teacher at Lakeside High School was arrested Wednesday on a felony charge accusing him of threatening to “shoot multiple students if he had a gun,” authorities said.
Jerry Meitin, 62, was terminated from the Columbia County School District after being alerted to his comments made Tuesday in front of several students.
After an investigation, authorities obtained a warrant from Superior Court Judge Barry Fleming for terroristic threats. A warrant says his comments were made “in reckless disregard of the risk of causing the terror.”
In a letter to parents Wednesday, Principal Juliet King said the alleged threats were made during class at the Evans school.
“The teacher is no longer employed by the Columbia County School District and will be held accountable according to the law,” Kling wrote. “Additionally, the incident will be reported to the Professional Standards Commission for further investigation.”
The principal said the school district does not condone or tolerate inappropriate or threatening remarks by employees or students. She recommended all suspicious activity be reported to school administrators or to school police.
An online profile on Meiten says he attended the University of Florida and enjoys “team sports, running, and puzzles.”
The news came as a shock to those who knew Meitin. James Evans Crockett said he took Meitin’s class back in 2010, describing him as an amazing math teacher. “He made outlandish jokes back then, and it kept students engaged, he made statistics not be boring for 17 & 18 yo kids,” Crockett wrote on Facebook. “I know a lot can change in fifteen years but I would be shocked if he actually meant to threaten anyone.”
