Indiana Mother Arrested After Bringing Gun to School and Sending Threats Over LGBTQ+ Lesson Dispute

An Indianapolis woman was charged with multiple counts after she took a gun to a school in Decatur Township, Indianapolis

An Indianapolis woman, Carrie Rivers, 48, has been arrested and charged with possession of a firearm on school property and harassment after allegedly entering Valley Mills Elementary School armed and later sending threatening messages to a teacher. The incident followed a dispute over a classroom lesson that Rivers claimed involved “same-sex relationships.”

According to a police report, the situation began when Rivers objected to an assignment her daughter received. The assignment, described by the teacher as an activity involving various national and state flags, included a rainbow flag with the words “be kind.” After Rivers raised concerns, her daughter was excused from completing the assignment.

Following the incident, Rivers withdrew her daughter from the school and visited the campus on April 9 to express her dissatisfaction. School staff called the police in response to an "irate parent" on the premises. Officers arriving at the scene reported that Rivers had entered the school building while wearing a holstered handgun. Possession of a firearm on school property is a felony under Indiana law.

Rivers claimed she had forgotten to remove the firearm before entering the school and admitted to previously bringing the gun onto school grounds. She was detained and interviewed by police, during which she expressed confusion, believing officers were there to address the teacher rather than herself.

Valley Mills Elementary School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Carrie Rivers, 48, a mother with a child enrolled at the school, allegedly brought a gun to the building while she was complaining about a teacher. She later allegedly sent the teacher threatening messages

After being released, Rivers allegedly sent the teacher a threatening and defamatory message, portions of which were included in court documents. The message accused the teacher of being a “child predator” and included explicit threats, urging the teacher to “say your prayers and kiss your kids goodbye.”

The same day, a Facebook account believed to belong to Rivers sent a friend request to the teacher accompanied by another derogatory message, stating, “You should never tell precious innocent kids that it's okay to be in a same-sex relationship.”

Rivers has been formally charged and is scheduled for a court hearing on April 15.

In a statement, Decatur Township Schools confirmed that no direct threats were made against students or staff at the time of the incident. They stated that Rivers was escorted from the building, and her weapon was confiscated without incident. The district also confirmed that she is now banned from all Decatur Township school properties.

The school district emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment and praised the swift response of school personnel and law enforcement in resolving the situation.