Manassas Park teacher charged after loaded handgun found in school parking lot; all city schools closed for a day

As of 5:10 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026

A Manassas Park High School art teacher has been charged with possession of a firearm on school property after a loaded handgun was found in a school parking lot Monday morning, prompting the Virginia city to close all of its public schools for the day, police and school officials said.

A school transportation employee found the gun on the ground between two school division vans in the parking lot of Manassas Park Middle School at about 6:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, during morning safety checks, according to the school division, as reported by WTOP and NBC4 Washington. Police determined the weapon was a loaded handgun.

Manassas Park police identified the teacher as Veronica Gooch-Ray of Potomac Falls, Virginia, and said she was charged with possession of a firearm on school property, NBC4 Washington and WTOP reported. Potomac Local reported that the charge is under Virginia Code § 18.2-308.1. A charge is an accusation, not a finding of guilt.

"The investigation revealed that there is no threat to the schools or community," police said, according to NBC4. "It was determined that the weapon belongs to a staff member and there is no credible threat to the school," a Manassas Park City Schools spokesperson said in a statement reported by WTOP and FOX 5 DC. The teacher was placed on leave under school policy, the school division said, according to WTOP and FOX 5 DC.

Schools closed, then reopened

The division closed all four of its schools Monday "out of an abundance of caution" to give police time to search and investigate, school officials said, according to WTOP and NBC4 Washington. FOX 5 DC reported that nearly 3,500 students were affected; some middle and high school students who had already arrived were sent home on buses. The division said schools would reopen on time Tuesday, WTOP and FOX 5 DC reported, and Northern Virginia Magazine reported that they reopened Tuesday.

"The Manassas Park Police Department commends the transportation employee for their vigilance and prompt reporting," the department said in a statement, according to FOX 5 DC and Northern Virginia Magazine.

What is not known

Police have not said how the handgun ended up in the parking lot or how long it had been there. It is not known whether Gooch-Ray has an attorney or when she is due in court. The school division said it would not release further information about the staff member because it is a personnel matter, according to FOX 5 DC.