Gunning for answers
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Following the arrest of former school superintendent, public tries to separate fact from fiction
On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, McCreary County School District Police Department Officer Gus Skinner arrested former McCreary County School Superintendent Dr. John W. Gunn, charging him with unlawful possession of a weapon on school property.
According to confidential sources, Dr. Gunn arrived at the McCreary County Central Office at approximately 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning (February 21) to pack personal belongings from his office before anyone else arrived at the building. (During a special called meeting on the prior night (Monday, February 20), the McCreary County Board of Education accepted Gunn’s release (resignation) agreement through a split vote of 3-2. Negotiations concerning the resignation release agreement had been ongoing for a period of time. Gunn’s resignation release agreement was offered prior to the Monday night meeting.) Gunn arrived early on Tuesday morning hoping to retrieve personal items prior to school time. When Gunn attempted to unlock the doors to enter the Central Office building where his office was located, he was unable to enter because his key card had been deactivated. The handgun became visible in video footage as Gunn was in the process of removing his key card from his pocket/wallet and during the process of attempting to unlock the doors.
According to Officer Skinner’s arrest citation, video footage from the school district camera system shows Gunn attempting to enter the McCreary County Board of Education with a handgun at 6:02 a.m.
Dr. Gunn then left the building without entering. Confidential sources state Dr. Gunn called the Central Office later that morning and was given permission to retrieve his personal belongings. Apparently Dr. Gunn was loading personal items into his vehicle in the Central Office parking lot when he was approached by law enforcement and arrested. Gunn did not have a firearm on him when he was arrested by School Police Department Officer Skinner. McCreary County School Police Officers requested the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office transport Dr. Gunn to the Sheriff’s Office.
According to the arrest citation, Gunn was arrested at 10:50 a.m., approximately five hours after Dr. Gunn initially attempted to enter the Central Office to retrieve his belongings.
A lockdown of the Central Office building and/or District-wide school buildings was not ordered. After telephoning and being told he could retrieve his belongings, Dr. Gunn was allowed to enter the Central Office. He was not armed when he entered the building to retrieve his belongings. 911 did not receive notification of any of the events until McCreary County Sheriff David Sampson reported transport of Dr. Gunn to the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office.
Dr. Gunn was served a summons to court for the charge of Unlawful Possession of Weapon on School Property. Additionally, the Commonwealth’s Attorney (Ronnie Bowling) and McCreary County Attorney (Austin Price) filed a motion for Gunn to post bond and be arraigned.
The Voice contacted the McCreary County School District DPP/ District Safe School Coordinator, Clint Taylor and McCreary County School District Police Department Officer Gun Skinner for comment. Both said they had been advised to not comment at this time.
