Police: West Mifflin man tried to enter Propel Braddock Hills school with a gun

Feb. 1—Braddock Hills police arrested a man Thursday who they say attempted to bring a gun into the Propel Braddock Hills school.

Dushaun Knox, 30, of West Mifflin, was charged with possession of a weapon on school property, terroristic threats and additional weapons charges.

Braddock Hills police were called to the school just before noon Thursday when an administrative assistant reported "an aggressive male at the front door to the elementary school," according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The staff member called back to say that Knox was threatening to kick in the door and that she did not feel safe.

Forest Hills police were also summoned, with a Forest Hills officer arriving first. As an officer initiated contact, Knox ignored orders to stop and fled on foot through the school's parking lot.

Police said Knox tossed a dark, black object as he ran.

It was later found and determined to be a loaded 9mm handgun, according to court records.

Propel staff told police that Knox "immediately became irritated" when told he had to show identification to enter the building. He told staff he was on campus to pick up his son, who was sick, Braddock Hills police wrote in a criminal complaint.

When a staff member began opening the door to look at a student emergency contact sheet Knox was holding, she said Knox tried to pull the door fully open, according to court documents. She closed the door and said Knox began making threats.

Court records do not indicate whether Knox has a son who attends the school.

Propel officials could not be reached for comment.

Knox was awaiting arraignment Thursday night, according to court documents.

Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com.