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Brian Mintmier entered Ramsey Elementary School under the guise of using the restroom on Tuesday, Mar. 15 around 2:19 p.m., Gateway school district Superintendent Dr. William Short said in a letter to Ramsey school families.
Mintmier then went to a girl's bathroom where he hid for 40 minutes — attempting to take a video on his cell phone, a child told the school principal Mr. Joseph Rosi, according to the letter.
Rosi contacted Monroeville police and within 15 minutes three officers arrived, searched Mintmier, seized the phone, and arrested him, the letter says.
"As a district we strive to ensure that our children receive the best possible education, but also in a safe and secure environment. Unfortunately, we must do better, and as Superintendent, I can assure you we will," Short says.
The Short also mentioned that a new visitor policy had been put in place Mar. 11, but it was not followed.
The employee that allowed Mintmier into the build has been placed on leave pending an investigation, the letter states. Counseling was offered to the children.
Mintmier has been charged with three misdemeanors for possessing an instrument of crime, possession of a weapon on school property, and invasion of privacy, court records show.
He has been denied bail as a "threat to the community" and has been held in the Allegheny county jail, according to court records.
His preliminary hearing has been scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst on Mar. 28 at 8:30 a.m., his court docket shows.
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