Lexington Police are receiving backlash from the community about a teacher's arrest.

Susan Horton, 54, listed on River Bluff High School’s website as part of the Career and Technology Education (CATE) Department, was charged with carrying a weapon on school property when a gun was found in her car on campus.

The Facebook post announcing Horton’s arrest has received more than 1,600 comments that express both outcry and support for the department.

According to Lexington Police, who said they responded to a tip that Horton told students in her class she always keeps a gun in her car, the gun was on the floorboard in her purse.

Under state law, persons with a Concealed Weapon Permit, which Horton has, are allowed to possess a firearm on school grounds "when the weapon remains inside an attended or locked motor vehicle and is secured in a closed glove compartment, closed console, closed trunk, or in a closed container secured by an integral fastener and transported in the luggage compartment of the vehicle."

The district has not responded to the Chronicle’s requests for comment, other than to confirm that the district informed parents about the incident shortly after it occurred on Dec. 6.

On Facebook, many parents vouched for Horton, sharing their children’s experience with her as a teacher.

“My daughter rarely comes home excited about what she is learning in class and also equally excited that she has a teacher that connects and cares about her and her classmates,” LaShea Colson told the Chronicle. “The night she learned of Mrs. Horton's arrest she was incredibly upset.”

Another parent, Leila Ajjaoui, commented on the Lexington Police post that her son came home very sad about Horton’s arrest and that he has spoken in the past about how good and funny she is as a teacher.

“I am personally against holding guns but she is a great teacher. I believe Lexington police should not put out her picture, you ruined her life and career.” Ajjaoui responded.

Another parent, who spoke to the Chronicle under the condition of anonymity, said the situation should have been handled more discreetly. They pointed to a September incident, in which a Concealed Weapon Permit holder was allowed to take a gun she brought in with her to a Lexington-Richland School District 5 board meeting out to her car, stow it in the glove compartment and return to the meeting. The anonymous parent argued that Horton’s case should have been handled similarly.

“This lady is a lifelong educator, and really, really loves what she does,” the parent said. “And now she's been blasted all over for the public to see like she's a criminal, on what I consider to be a technicality. Did she break the law? Of course. Do people break the law daily? Absolutely.” 

Some voiced other opinions.

“If the gun had been stolen and used to shoot up the school, everyone crying about how her arrest is unfair would be upset she had a gun in her car and told students about it,”  Katie Hines commented.

“People who shouldn’t have guns get guns because of careless people like her,” Alexis Skibinski commented, adding, “What if someone saw her purse laying on the floorboard of her car and decided to break in to steal it. Which does happen frequently! Now they have a bonus prize – a gun!”

Chris Rice, recently elected to the Lexington County School District 1 Board of Trustees, was the only member of the body that governs River Bluff who responded to the Chronicle’s request for comment.

“I think it is unfortunate that this incident happened but I am sure that the case will be handled in a fair and reasonable manner,” he said.