News Summary
A substitute teacher at Southside Estates Elementary School in Jacksonville has been arrested after multiple firearms were found in his vehicle. Abdiel Alexander Badillo-Martinez faces serious charges, including possession of a short-barreled gun and carrying a concealed weapon on school property. The discovery came after a staff member reported concerns about badillo-martinez’s claims of homelessness and firearms storage. The incident has raised questions about the vetting process for substitute teachers and school safety protocols.
Jacksonville, Fla. – A 29-year-old substitute teacher at Southside Estates Elementary School was arrested on Tuesday after school police found multiple weapons in his vehicle. Abdiel Alexander Badillo-Martinez is now facing several serious charges, including possession of a short-barreled gun and carrying a concealed weapon at an elementary school.
The incident began when a school staff member alerted authorities, concerned after Badillo-Martinez claimed he was homeless and stored firearms in his car due to a lack of storage. Earlier, the staff member had observed a gun on the floorboard of Badillo-Martinez’s vehicle while assisting him in unlocking it. Prompted by this information, school police conducted an investigation, leading to the shocking discovery of multiple firearms, ammunition, a knife, and a ballistic vest inside the vehicle.
Specifically, officers found a loaded Glock 23 handgun under the driver’s seat and an AR pistol located in the back seat. Following the discovery, police took immediate action to ensure the safety of students by removing them from building 11 while the situation was assessed. Once authorities confirmed that the building was secure, students were allowed to return to their classrooms. Reports indicate that Badillo-Martinez did not appear to be armed while in the school building or classroom.
As a result of these findings, Badillo-Martinez has been charged with several firearm-related violations and has been barred from future employment within Duval County Public Schools. His employment at Southside Estates was through a contracting service called ESS, which is responsible for hiring and background checks on temporary instructional personnel. Concerns have been raised regarding Badillo-Martinez’s prior criminal history, which includes misdemeanor charges such as possession of marijuana and driving without a license. This has prompted questions about the vetting process for substitute teachers in the area.
Principal Teresa Dowdell-Brown communicated with parents about the incident, reaffirming the school’s commitment to student safety and stressing the importance of timely reporting of any safety concerns among staff members. The incident has ignited discussions on the responsibilities of educational institutions to ensure that all personnel, including substitutes, meet the necessary safety standards before being allowed access to schools where young children are present.
The alarming event has highlighted the necessity for schools to continuously evaluate their security protocols and the effectiveness of background checks for temporary instructors. As this situation develops, it is essential for parents and community members to remain informed about the measures being taken to prevent future occurrences of such alarming events in schools.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Substitute Teacher Arrested at School for Possessing Firearms
Jacksonville Investigates Armed Robbery at Circle K
Former Jacksonville Mayor Discharged from NTSB Role
Jacksonville Honors Legal Community at 2025 Law Day Ceremony
Severe Weather Alert: Tornado Watches Across Minnesota
Winter Weather Advisory Putting Northeast Florida on Alert
Childcare Crisis in Bay County Prompts New Legislative Actions
Jacksonville Celebrates Remarkable Drop in Homeless Population
Boca Raton Families Devastated by Small Plane Crash
Tragic Plane Crash in Upstate New York Claims Lives of Six
Additional Resources
- First Coast News
- News4Jax
- WOKV
- Google Search: Weapons Found in School
- ABC News
- Wikipedia: School Safety
