Gun seized at Wylie High School fell out of staff member’s purse, police say

A Wylie High School staff member’s firearm was seized after the gun fell out of her purse on campus Thursday afternoon, Wylie police said Friday.

A school administrator alerted a Wylie police school resource officer of the weapon on campus at about 1:45 p.m. Thursday. The non-teaching staff member — whom police did not identify — told administrators about the incident and secured the handgun in her vehicle, police said.

The officer seized the firearm and launched an investigation into the staff member and how she brought the firearm on campus, police said. The woman forgot it was in her purse, according to an initial report.

Principal Brian Alexander wrote that the staff member is no longer employed by Wylie ISD and there is an ongoing criminal investigation in an email sent to families and staff Friday afternoon.

Alexander said the employee was adjusting her purse when the gun fell onto the floor.

“We do not believe the employee intended to cause harm,” Alexander wrote. “Please know that campus administrators contacted the families of the students who work with this individual.”

After the investigation, police said the report will be referred to the Collin County district attorney’s office.

Alexander wrote that he was reminding families and staff that state and federal law, along with district policy, ban firearms at the school and that students, staff and visitors are not allowed to have “weapons of any kind.”

“Although actions may be unintentional, there can be disciplinary, employment, and legal consequences for bringing prohibited items on campus,” Alexander said. “The safety and security of students and staff is our top priority, and we take these matters very seriously.”