Police stand by 45-minute response to Pittsworth State High School shooting threat

Police say they are satisfied with their response to an “urgent” incident at a country school after it took crews more than 45 minutes to reach the scene where a man allegedly threatened to shoot two teachers.

Pittsworth State High School was the centre of an incident on April, when a man was alleged to have threatened two teachers.

Police say they are satisfied with their response to an “urgent” incident at a country school after it took crews more than 45 minutes to reach the scene where a man allegedly threatened to shoot two teachers.

Pittsworth State High School was sent into lockdown on about 4.30pm on April 27 when a man allegedly punched a male teacher in the face while he was coaching football on the grounds.

According to an objection to bail affidavit tendered in Toowoomba Magistrates Court, police alleged Wayne Glenn Lloyd Castle then threatened two other female teachers.

Police allege the 44-year-old said “I’m going to come back with my 45 and f...ing shoot you, you f…ing c…s”.
Mr Castle also allegedly used his fingers to form gun shapes and aim them at the victims.

The document also says teachers saw Mr Castle walk back to his property close to the school, enter his shed and come out with an object they thought was a firearm.

Mr Castle was denied bail in Toowoomba Magistrates Court when he appeared in custody the following day.

His charges include assault, threatening violence and trespassing.

While the matter was classified as a priority code two incident, police confirmed officers from the Pittsworth station did not attend the scene due to “operational reasons”.

Crews instead came from Toowoomba, arriving at 5.17pm to search for Mr Castle and speak with victims.

A police spokeswoman said the response was appropriate.

“Police located the man in the nearby vicinity, where he was arrested and subsequently charged with two counts of threatening violence, and one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm, enter premises and commit an indictable offence, wilful disturbance and trespass,” the statement said.

“Police provided an immediate and appropriate response to this incident using district resources.”

A Department of Education spokesman declined to comment on police matters, saying teachers and students were offered counselling.