safety
Assistant principal accused of shooting a gun during a school break-in charged, police say
By Luke Tucker at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 8, 2026
· 1 min read
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - A former assistant principal in North Carolina was charged recently, weeks after he allegedly fired a shot during a school break-in.The break-in reportedly happened on May 25 at Hairston Middle School in Greensboro.Greensboro police said the assistant principal...
Key takeaway Greensboro police said the assistant principal, Charlie Wardell Smith, 54, told them he went to the school after getting a call about an alarm going off.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The recent charging of a former North Carolina assistant principal for discharging a weapon on educational property raises questions about school safety protocols in Nashville . Although the incident occurred in Greensboro, it prompts consideration of how local schools would respond to a similar break-in. In Nashville, school administrators and security personnel undergo training to handle various emergency situations, but the use of firearms is strictly regulated. The fact that no students or staff members were present at Hairston Middle School during the incident highlights the importance of ensuring that school safety measures are in place during all hours of operation, not just during regular school hours. As Nashville's school district continues to review and update its safety protocols, the community will be watching to see how these measures balance the need for security with the need to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? GREENSBORO, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - A former assistant principal in North Carolina was charged recently, weeks after he allegedly fired a shot during a school break-in.The break-in reportedly happened on May 25 at Hairston Middle School in Greensboro.Greensboro police said the assistant principal...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Luke Tucker at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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