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A HIGH school teacher has been found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound just before classes began.
Munford Police shut down the school after finding the teacher dead in his classroom early Thursday morning.
The teacher, Samuel Colin Day, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 6 a.m., as reported by Fox’s local Florida affiliate, WTVT.
“We are deeply saddened to report a tragic incident that occurred today at MHS. Teacher, Samuel Colin Day, was found deceased in a classroom from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound,” authorities confirmed on their Facebook page.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, students, and faculty affected by this heartbreaking event. We ask that the community respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
The Munford Police reported that “all students in all schools” are safe.
Authorities have called the incident an “emergency situation” as their investigation continues.
According to WTVT, Tipton County Schools Assistant Superintendent Rebekah Byrd said the teacher’s death was “an isolated incident.”
The Munford Police said they will continue to update parents, students, and community members as new information arises.
The U.S. Sun reached out to the Munford Police Department and Munford High for comment.
As reported by the Tennessee State Government, the suicide rate in Tennessee increased from 17.5 to 17.7 per 100,000 population, from 2021 to 2022.
The report urges people to reduce stigma, misinformation, and shame around suicide by learning how to “recognize and respond when someone in your community” may be suffering.
They also call on community members to commit to addressing the suicide crisis by becoming certified in suicide first-aid.
The report details several evidence-based courses that Tennesseans can look into such as the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper training.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the total age-adjusted suicide rate in the United States increased to 14.0 per 100,000 in 2021.
In 2022, it increased again to 14.2 per 100,000.
Munford Police’s Full Statement
“We are deeply saddened to report a tragic incident that occurred today at MHS. Teacher, Samuel Colin Day, was found deceased in a classroom from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. This incident occurred at approx. 6 am this morning, well before students arrived for class.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, students, and faculty affected by this heartbreaking event. We ask that the community respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
8:30am Update on the Investigation into the incident this morning at Munford High School. Officers located a teacher deceased in a classroom. There are no indications of foul play. Further information may be obtained from the Tipton County Board of Education. All students in all schools are safe.”
Official Statement from Munford Police Department, Facebook
That year, the suicide rate among males was 4 times higher than among females.
Males make up 50% of the population but nearly 80% of suicides, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the CDC, suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
In Tennessee, suicide is not one of the top ten leading causes of death.
Heart disease, cancer, and accidents rank as some of leading causes of death in this state, as reported by the CDC.
For those in crisis, the NIMH has a 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
