Teacher Self-Shooting Was Intentional, Authorities Say (ICYMI)

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A Lithia Springs High School teacher who shot himself in his office at the school last week did so intentionally, investigators said Monday.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Jesse Hambrick identified the teacher Monday as Jonathan Freeman, a math teacher at the school since 1999. He said Freeman intentionally shot himself in the face with a recently purchased handgun early Thursday morning before most students had arrived at the school.

Hambrick said that Freeman had been dealing with "personal issues" and confirmed that the shooting was intentional.

Freeman was listed in stable condition at a local hospital on Friday. Hambrick said the sheriff's office has completed its investigation into the case and that no charges are being filed at this time — but that law enforcement has up to two years to file charges if they are deemed appropriate.

Hambrick said that, for now, "the ethical thing to do" is to let Freeman heal and deal with whatever issues led to the shooting.

According to his biography on the Lithia Springs High School website, Freeman was named the school's Teacher of the Year in 2014. He graduated from Dacula High School in 1992 and the University of Georgia in 1996.

He then earned a master's degree from University of West Georgia in 2011.

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Freeman has previously served as the chairman of Lithia Springs' math department and was named a STAR teacher in 2007 and 2014. Before coming to Lithia Springs, he taught math at Oglethorpe County High School and Jasper County High School.

According to the biography, Freeman has been married since 1995 and became a father in 2010.
According to law enforcement and school officials, Freeman shot himself at about 7:15 a.m. Thursday. No students were in the area at the time.

After the shooting, the sheriff's office said, Freeman was able to leave the area and reach another teacher, who was able to make sure authorities were called.

Classes at Lithia Springs were canceled on Thursday, and grief counselors were on campus Friday for students or faculty and staff members who needed them. Several students were said to have worn ties to class on Friday in honor of Freeman.

Photo via Lithia Springs High School website