GREENSBORO, N.C. — A former assistant principal at a North Carolina middle school has been charged with discharging a firearm on educational property after authorities said he fired a shot during a break-in at the school while responding to an alarm over the Memorial Day weekend, police said.
Greensboro police said Charlie Wardell Smith, 54, was served with a criminal summons on June 30 charging him with discharging a weapon on educational property. According to court records, he is scheduled to appear in Guilford County court on July 28.
The incident occurred on May 25 at Hairston Middle School after an alarm was activated. Police said Smith, who was then serving as an assistant principal, told investigators he went to the school after receiving notification of the alarm and canceled a police response because he was close to the campus.
According to police, Smith reported encountering an intruder inside the school. Investigators said the suspect fled outside, and Smith told officers he fired a single shot into the air, away from the individual, in an attempt to scare the person off. Authorities said no students, teachers or other school employees were on campus at the time, and no injuries were reported.
Police have not announced that anyone was arrested in connection with the reported break-in. Authorities said it remains unclear whether the alleged intruder has been identified.
The Greensboro Police Department confirmed that Smith has since resigned from his position with the school. Officials have not publicly indicated whether any additional disciplinary or administrative actions are pending.
The criminal charge stems from the discharge of the firearm on school property rather than any allegation that the shot struck a person or caused injuries, according to the information released by police and reflected in court records. Prosecutors will have the opportunity to present the case during the scheduled court proceedings.
As of Friday, Greensboro police had not released additional details about the investigation or identified a suspect in the reported break-in. Smith's next confirmed court appearance is scheduled for July 28 in Guilford County, according to court records.
