Police: Man arrested for bringing knife to Charleroi High School

CHARLEROI, Pa. — A man was arrested for having a knife on Charleroi High School's property, police said.

Chief Michael Kresich said David Messinger showed up to Charleroi High School for a child's truancy hearing Tuesday and was acting out and swearing.

The criminal complaint said "he became irate and refused orders to cease and desist," so Kresich told Messinger to leave the building before he even went up to the truancy hearing.

"Officer Kresich and his men all do a really good job of trying to keep the kids safe," said parent Judy Ruehle.

Kresich said Messinger kept yelling obscenities on the way out, and when he went to arrest Messinger for disorderly conduct,

Messinger's girlfriend reached into his hoodie pocket.

Kresich said Messinger told him he had a knife on him for protection. 

The chief said he's glad he was able to deal with the situation before Messinger got farther into the school.

Messinger is charged with bringing a weapon on school property and disorderly conduct. He's in the Washington County Jail on $35,000 bond.

WPXI