Photo: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
A middle school teacher from Georiga is behind bars for allegedly setting a fire and shooting a gun inside of his school. Police said that Antonio Bailey went into the main office at Chapel Hill Middle School in Decatur overnight last Thursday (August 5) and started a small fire.
Neighbors told WAGA they heard four of five gunshots and saw police officers and firefighters responding to the incident. It is unclear how much damage the fire caused. Officials said that nobody was injured.
"Dekalb County School District Police conducted a criminal investigation into the gunfire and Arson at Chapel Hill Middle," the district said in a statement. "The investigation revealed evidence to secure a criminal arrest warrant for Mr. Antonio Bailey for the charges of Arson in the first degree, Criminal Damage to Property in the second degree, and Possession of a firearm during a commission of a felony. Mr. Bailey is in police custody."
Authorities did not provide a motive for his actions, but school officials said that Bailey was placed on administrative leave the day before. The school district did say why Bailey was placed on administrative leave. While they did not comment on Bailey's job status, his information is not listed on the school's website.
Bailey is facing charges of arson, criminal damage to property, and possession of a firearm during a commission of a felony. He has since been released on bond.