Man arrested after bringing a gun onto the campus of two Murfreesboro elementary schools

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A Murfreesboro man was arrested after he allegedly brought a gun onto the campus of two Murfreesboro elementary schools Monday.

Murfreesboro police said no students or staff were in danger.

Police arrested 22-year-old Austin Diller at his home on two warrants for possession of a weapon on school grounds.

Diller reportedly went to the John Pittard Elementary School campus shortly before 11:30 a.m. to obtain information about the enrollment of a younger sibling. Diller then went to Erma Siegel Elementary School to get the same information. According to police, he was told he could find the credentials online.

As Diller turned to leave, office staff noticed on the outside camera that he was openly carrying a handgun in a holster, officials said.

A school resource officer at one of the schools was notified. Diller left before the SRO reached him.

Police said because Diller's whereabouts after leaving school were unknown, all MCS schools and nearby private schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution. Murfreesboro police said a soft lockout means no visitors will be allowed in schools and no students will be allowed outside of school.

Police tracked down Diller using license plate reader cameras with the help of crime data analysts at MPD's Real Time Crime Center.

Diller was booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on a $5,000 bond.

“He is scheduled to appear in Rutherford County General Sessions Court on December 16,” police said.

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