safety
Assistant principal accused of shooting a gun during a school break-in charged, police say
By Luke Tucker at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· 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 Midland
The incident in Greensboro, North Carolina, raises questions about school safety protocols in Midland , particularly when it comes to break-ins and the use of firearms by school staff. While the details of the North Carolina case are still unfolding, it's worth considering how local schools in Midland would respond to a similar situation. The fact that the assistant principal in North Carolina felt the need to fire a shot in the air to scare off an intruder suggests that there may be gaps in security measures that need to be addressed. In Midland, school administrators and law enforcement may want to review their own emergency response plans to ensure that they are prepared to handle break-ins and other potential security threats. The resignation of the assistant principal in North Carolina also highlights the potential consequences for school staff who take matters into their own hands, even if their intentions are to protect the school.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Luke Tucker at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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