Parent charged in connection to gun found in Henrico elementary school bathroom

Sep 10, 2023

by: Will Gonzalez, Cheyenne Pagan

Posted: Jun 2, 2023 / 12:11 PM EDT

Updated: Jun 2, 2023 / 08:42 PM EDT

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A parent of a Longdale Elementary School student has been charged after police say his child brought a firearm to school.

According to the Henrico County Police Division, after a thorough investigation and consultation with the Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, the student's father, identified as 39-year-old Matthew Craig Berger of Henrico, was charged with abuse and neglect of children, as well as allowing access to firearms by children.

At around 11:48 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16, a Henrico School Resource Officer was called to Longdale Elementary School after a student reported seeing a gun in one of the school's bathrooms.

Longdale Elementary parents Lawrence Lynch and Channel Austin-Lynch recounted the moment on May 16 when the school went under lockdown. On that day, Lawrence Lynch was at the school having lunch with his son when the lockdown happened.

"It's pretty, pretty scary situation for the kids," Lawrence Lynch said. "For about the first 20 to 30 minutes of the school being on lockdown, we really didn't know what we’re going what was going on."

After investigating, the student who reportedly brought the gun was identified and the gun was recovered. There was no known threat made against anyone in the school, according to police.

Even though the situation ended safely, the experience has left some parents shaken up.

"It's a real scary thing. A lot of times we actually consider taking our kids out of schools, because of the gun violence over the years," Lawrence Lynch said.

The new charge against the responsible student's parent has offered some comfort to the family.

"I never seen a parent being charged over situation when it comes to gun violence in school," Channel Austin-Lynch said. "So I guess that's a little bit of accountability somewhat."

"Hopefully this sparks more conversation and more talk within the community within the government and within people who believe that owning a gun is your right," Lawrence Lynch added.

This is not the first time a parent in Virginia has been charged for their student bringing a gun to school. The mother of the 6-year-oild boy who shot his first grade teacher at Richneck Elementary in Newport News was indicted by a grand jury in April.

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