IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Man brings guns onto Linton school grounds

By Andrea McCann, staff writer

A Coalmont man was detained by the Linton Police Department on Thursday afternoon as he pulled onto Linton-Stockton school property, then ultimately transported to a Bloomington facility for a psychological evaluation.

LPD Chief Keith McDonald said Chris Rehmel, 38, sent letters to him that made him question Rehmel's state of mind and well being. Investigating Rehmel and his connection to Linton, McDonald discovered that the man had mailed similar letters to numerous people in Terre Haute, Bloomington, and throughout Greene County.

"The letters are somewhat threatening, and we're concerned about his mental health," the chief said.

"He contacted by mail numerous office holders and public figures. He stated in the letter that he was going to take the law into his own hands, create a hostile situation, and 'rattle your chains.' He specifically mentioned possibly killing a doctor in Terre Haute. That was one of the more serious parts."

McDonald said Rehmel was disgruntled and distraught with law enforcement. Others the letters were mailed to include Social Security, doctors, lawyers, the governor, President Bush, judges, and prosecutors. He said the situation needed to be addressed.

"They were not just letters of threat," McDonald said. "They'd make anyone question his delusional thoughts."

Through the investigation, it was discovered that Rehmel's children attend Linton-Stockton schools and that he sometimes arrives at the schools at 2 p.m. to pick them up. McDonald said he notified the school and placed six officers in strategic locations, such as entry roads and doors, to await Rehmel's arrival.

"I had information that he carries firearms, and it was a concern because he was going to school (Thursday) to pick up his kids," McDonald said.

"At no time did he threaten anyone at the school ... we just didn't want him entering the property with firearms."

When Rehmel arrived at the school, he did have firearms in his vehicle, the chief said. One handgun, a 40-caliber Glock, was next to him in the truck and visible to the officer who confronted him at First and I streets, McDonald said. He also had a handgun in the center console and a long gun that was not in direct view. According to McDonald, Rehmel has a permit for the firearms. However, it's a Class D felony, punishable by six months to three years imprisonment and a maximum $10,000 fine, to have a firearm on school property.

Rehmel was detained, the weapons were secured, and his vehicle was impounded while LPD officers communicated with the Greene County Prosecutor's Office. Deputy Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw worked with a Clay County judge, because that's where Rehmel was when he wrote the letters, to get a 72-hour emergency commitment order for the man. An LPD officer transported Rehmel to a Bloomington facility, where he'll be evaluated.

"He's now receiving help, which he obviously needed," Holtsclaw said. "Linton police responded appropriately."

McDonald said if doctors at the locked facility believe Rehmel needs further evaluation or treatment, he could be held there longer.

The chief added that he's received a warrant for Rehmel's arrest on intimidation charges for threatening a Terre Haute attorney. He said it's a Class D felony, and bond has been set at $200,000 with no 10 percent allowed.

"Arrangements have been made, after his psychological evaluation, to release him to the Vigo County Sheriff," McDonald said. "He'll stay until he's fine to leave. Then he'll face criminal charges."

L-S Superintendent Ron Bush said at no time did he feel there was a danger to anyone at the school. He said from a school standpoint, there was no threat.

"From the beginning we had the support of the police," he said. "It was a police matter from the beginning."

Bush said there's a safety plan in place for the school corporation that involves different security levels. Which level they use in a given event is dependent upon the severity of the danger, he said.

"We can go to lockdown," he said, but added that in this case they stayed at the initial level, which is keeping staff on alert. "If there's an immediate danger, we go to lockdown.

"There didn't appear to be an immediate threat, and the police said their concern was not related to the school.

"We try to evaluate every situation, as we get information, for the protection of the children."

He said the school corporation's safety committee is active and meets regularly with other agencies, such as LPD and Red Cross. Bush said they talk about various situations that could arise, and plan how they would work together to respond. He said this was a good example of how they work together.

Cooperation was key in the situation, McDonald said, and the school was excellent to work with and very organized.

"The Jasonville police worked really hard on this to help resolve it," he added. "Don Fish worked real hard and has been instrumental."

He explained that a situation such as the one they faced can be volatile when the subject's state of mind is unknown. He stressed that the cooperation he received made the operation run smoothly.

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