Bedford, Ohio – A security incident involving a student and an armed individual on a local Bedford school’s premises prompted a brief lockdown and an ongoing investigation, as reported by Fox 8 News. Following the event, law enforcement officials have been actively seeking information to assist in the apprehension of the suspect, who is accused of felonious assault and illegal conveyance of a deadly weapon on school grounds. The suspect fled the scene shortly after the incident, and authorities have since called for public vigilance.
In a related matter, Councilman Tony Longino-Thomas (W6), known for his service as a retired officer from the City of Solon Police Department, was observed at the Bedford High School Stadium at either a Bedford High School football game or a Little Bearcats Home Game on approximately September 23, 2023*, in apparent police attire and openly carrying a firearm. This occurrence has sparked a debate over the presence of weapons on school property and the enforcement of relevant laws.
According to Giffords Law Center, unauthorized possession of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone is a grave offense, highlighting the seriousness of Longino-Thomas’ actions.
Communications with local officials regarding the incident have yielded limited information. Councilman Smith (W4) and Councilman Salvi (W2) had been unaware of the incident and suggested direct contact with Longino-Thomas for inquiries, while Mayor Koci returned a response of no comment and directed The Bedford Tribune to speak with Mike Mallis, City Manager. The Bedford Police Department had no comment beyond stating that no police report had been filed regarding the incident. Requests to the Bedford City Schools regarding Longino-Thomas openly carrying a firearm at a Bedford High School football game have gone unanswered.
City Manager Michael S. Mallis clarified the city’s position, stating that the city had no prior communication with the individual preceding this incident. He referenced Ohio Revised Code section 2923.122, which allows law enforcement officers to carry firearms both on-duty and off-duty even on school property. Mallis also noted that Longino-Thomas, the individual in question, is a retired police officer and an active School Resource Officer (SRO) with Beachwood City Schools. Longino-Thomas is an active SRO, and therefore it is legal for him to carry a firearm on school properties without written permission. The Bedford Tribune was unable to find Longino-Thomas listed on the staff directory at Beachwood Schools but did confirm with the Beachwood Police Department that he is an active SRO through their department for the Beachwood Schools.
When Mr. Mallis was pressed as to the legality of Longino-Thomas wearing garb that indicated he may be a sanctioned police officer, Mr. Mallis declined to make any further comments.
Longino-Thomas is not a SRO for the Bedford City Schools and does not appear to have any affiliations with Bedford City Schools, so it is unclear why he was openly carrying a gun at the football game. Some witnesses to the event and the Facebook post that was later made by Longino-Thomas about the incident, have said that carrying the weapon at the game was a publicity stunt in relation to his City Council election campaign. Longino-Thomas was reportedly trying to point out that the Bedford City Schools football games were an unsafe environment and Longino-Thomas was wearing the weapon to show he was protecting residents from potential danger at Bedford football games. The Bedford Tribune tried to access the Facebook post in question, but it has been made private. The Bedford Tribune did reach out to Longino-Thomas but have not received a response.
While investigating the events of September 23, 2023, The Bedford Tribune came across a police record published in May of 2019 where Longino-Thomas reported that a firearm had been stolen from his unlocked vehicle. It does not appear that Longino-Thomas faced any consequences as either a police officer or a registered firearm owner for leaving a gun unsecured in an unlocked vehicle.
It appears at this time that Longino-Thomas did not inform either the Bedford Schools or Bedford Police Department of his intention to wear a gun and dress in clothing that highlighted he was a police officer at the football game. While it was legal for him to carry his gun, it is unclear if it was legal for him to imply by dress that he was a sanctioned police officer when he was not asked to do so.
These events have brought attention to the regulations surrounding the presence of firearms on school properties and the need for clarity and enforcement of these policies to ensure the safety of students and staff. The ongoing investigation into the recent security incident and the dialogue around the presence of firearms at school events underscore the community’s concern for maintaining a secure educational environment.
*Addition 2/15/24: Added that the event may have occurred at a Little Bearcats game instead of a high school game. TBT was informed that the game in question was a children’s Little Bearcats game. Both games were at the High School stadium that weekend. TBT has made Sunshine Requests to the Bedford Public School System, The City of Bedford and Bedford Police Department. When we have verified which event the incident occurred at, we will publish a secondary article with all additional further details.
