Cumberland Times-News

Local News

January 4, 2013

Rockwood man charged for having pistol inside Turkeyfoot high school

Was licensed to carry weapon, not a threat, police say

Patrick Buchnowski Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

SOMERSET, Pa. — The man who authorities said walked into a Somerset County high school last month with a pistol in his pocket was charged this week with committing a crime.

State police in Somerset charged Charles V. King II, 41, of Kanaul Road, Rockwood, with possession of a weapon on school property, a first-degree misdemeanor.

He also faces a summary charge of criminal trespass.

King, who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon, allegedly entered Turkeyfoot Valley Area High School on Dec. 14 to pick up a student when someone in the office noticed a pistol sticking out of his back pocket, state police Cpl. William Link said.

“We’re trying to make it clear the weapon was not waved around,” Link said. “He did not go in there to make a point or threaten anyone.”

Coincidentally, the incident occurred the same day as the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, which left 20 students and six staff members dead.

The Turkeyfoot incident prompted school district officials to call a public meeting that night to reassure parents that there was no danger to students.

State police and investigators from the Somerset County sheriff’s and district attorney’s offices completed a two-week investigation.

Investigators reviewed video surveillance, which shows a sign stating that weapons are prohibited in the building, District Attorney Lisa Lazzari-Strasiser said.

“Based on those circumstances, we felt charges were warranted,” she said.

King faces up to five years in prison and will have his license to carry a concealed weapon revoked, Link said.

State law makes it illegal for anyone other than law enforcement officials performing their duties to carry weapons on school property.

Link said that King understands why he was charged.

Text Only
Local News
  • Parking attendants Parking attendants

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • BRIAN GRIM Grim: ‘I want to see things through’

    Mayor Brian Grim made it official Tuesday when he filed the required paperwork to seek a second term as mayor of Cumberland.

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Canal Place authority pursuing plan to develop branding, marketing strategy

    The Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority voted Tuesday to pursue a plan of action to develop a branding and marketing strategy for the tourism hub and surrounding Canal Place Heritage Area.

    June 18, 2013

  • U.S., Taliban to start talks on ending 12-year conflict

    The Taliban and the U.S. said Tuesday they will hold talks on finding a political solution to ending nearly 12 years of war in Afghanistan, as the international coalition formally handed over control of the country’s security to the Afghan army and police.

    June 18, 2013

  • Commissioners postpone Southern Middle funding discussion

    The Garrett County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday postponed a discussion about funding for a renovation project at Southern Middle School, pending a future meeting with school board members.

    June 18, 2013

  • DAN BONGINO Republican Bongino sets sights on 6th district U.S. House seat

    He doesn’t live in Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District. Neither does the incumbent.
    But what makes Republican Dan Bongino’s run for the 6th district U.S. House seat interesting is that unlike Democratic Rep. John Delaney, who lives just outside the district in Potomac, Bongino lives almost 40 miles away from the closest point to the district, all the way in Anne Arundel County.

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • TIM MILEY W.Va. House elects Miley as new speaker

    West Virginia’s House of Delegates elected Tim Miley as its new speaker Tuesday — though only after one of his fellow Democrats crossed party lines to vote for the GOP nominee.

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • N.Y. man hurt in fall from Gunter Hotel

    A 53-year-old New York man was found unconscious on Main Street late Monday after he apparently fell from the third-floor balcony area of the Gunter Hotel, according to the Frostburg Police Department.

    June 18, 2013

  • Enter here Enter here

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Keyser ordinance raises fire protection fee

    The Keyser council approved an ordinance that increases the fire protection fee during a recent council meeting. Councilman Herman Judy opposed the increase.

    June 18, 2013