Latest news with #SpringdalePublicSchools
7NEWS
6 days ago
- 7NEWS
Manhunt for accused murderer in Arkansas, US, ends when he stops to get his hair cut
The intense search for a man accused of a grisly double murder in the US last weekend ended on Wednesday when the suspect stopped for a haircut. 'I was in the middle of cutting his hair when detectives came in and got him,' a stylist at Lupita's Beauty Salon and Barber Shop in Springdale, northwest Arkansas, said in a Facebook post. Andrew James McGann, 28, was arrested in connection with the deaths of a married couple attacked and killed while hiking with their two young daughters at a state park in the Ozark Mountains, Arkansas State Police announced on Wednesday. Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found stabbed to death on Saturday on a walking trail in Devil's Den State Park. McGann's DNA matched evidence left at the scene and he admitted to killing the victims during an interview with investigators, officials said at a news conference on Thursday afternoon. Additionally, items seen in a photo of a suspect were found during a search of McGann's home, along with knives, though it is unclear if the weapon used in the crime was among the collected items, Arkansas State Police Major Stacie Rhoads said. McGann faces two counts of capital murder, according to police and jail records. He had recently been hired as a 'teacher candidate' by Springdale Public Schools, according to a district spokesperson, but had not yet started working there. McGann was booked and processed into the Washington County Detention Centre in Fayetteville. Officials said they believe McGann acted alone, indicating that the public is safe. 'I can confirm that we have absolutely no indication, no reason whatsoever to believe there was any connection at all between our suspect and our victims,' Arkansas State Police Colonel Mike Hagar said during Thursday's news conference. A motive for the killings is still being determined, but Hagar said they appear to be 'a completely random event'. McGann recently had moved to Arkansas from Oklahoma and gotten a job at a local school, Rhoads said. Officials declined to give specific details about what led to the arrest, citing the ongoing prosecution. Jail records indicate McCann is being held without bond. His first court appearance was scheduled for Friday morning. He did not have an attorney as of Thursday afternoon, executive director of the Arkansas Public Defender Commission Gregg Parrish said. The Brinks' daughters, ages 7 and 9, were not harmed and are safe with relatives, police said. Law enforcement presence was increased at state parks across Arkansas in response to the killings. Since the weekend, state police had worked with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to track down the suspect and bring 'justice to this family', Hagar said. 'No news can heal the enormous harm done to the Brink family in last weekend's crime, but this announcement is a comfort and reassurance for our State,' Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement on Wednesday. 'Because of their hard work and investigative skill, we were able to take a monster off the streets and bring relief to those two precious girls and the rest of our citizens,' Hagar said. Arrested mid-snip in a barbershop 'It's going to be a haircut and beauty shop,' a law enforcement officer said on Wednesday on audio dispatch radio as officers approached the arrest site, some 7 miles from McGann's address in jail records. 'We're going to have one detained,' an officer said, according to a recording. Meanwhile, a granddaughter of one of the owners of Lupita's Beauty Salon and Barber Shop was in the middle of cutting a man's hair, the shop's owners said in a Facebook video workers posted recounting the scene. The man 'did not speak' when he entered and only indicated what hairstyle he wanted, the owners said. Soon, plainclothes officers walked in and asked the man if he was the owner of a car outside. The man said yes, and the officers arrested him — and collected some of his hair — the shop's owners said on the Facebook video. Officers also identified a vehicle belonging to McGann and arranged via dispatch for it to be towed 'to headquarters', according to the audio recording. Arkansas State Police did not immediately confirm the barbershop where McGann was arrested. The granddaughter does not appear in the video and was too distraught to talk about what happened, someone on the track says. Detectives have asked for camera footage and other information from the salon, according to an unidentified woman in the video who interviews the owners and employees. A former fifth-grade teacher 'Springdale Public Schools can confirm that Andrew McGann was a teacher candidate hired for the upcoming school year, who has not yet begun employment with the district,' Superintendent Jared Cleveland said in a statement. 'This individual has not at any time come into contact with Springdale students or the families we serve,' Cleveland added. 'At this time, we cannot offer any additional information due to the ongoing investigation.' State records show McGann is currently licensed to teach elementary and middle school grades in at least three states: Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. McGann was most recently a fifth-grade teacher in the Sand Springs Public Schools in Oklahoma, just west of Tulsa, according to the district. 'Andrew McGann was employed at Sand Springs Public Schools from the summer of 2024 to May 2025,' the district said in a written statement. 'At the end of the 2024-25 school year, McGann resigned his position to move out of state.' 'McGann passed all background checks,' the district added. McGann had been a fifth-grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary in Oklahoma during the 2023-2024 school year, Broken Arrow Public Schools said in a statement. He left 'of his own accord to work out of state', the district said, noting that like all employees, 'he was subjected to and passed the required background checks prior to being hired'. McGann was placed on administrative leave from his teaching job at Donald Elementary in Flower Mound, Texas, in the spring of 2023 over allegations of inappropriate behaviour, like favouritism and uneven treatment of students. An internal investigation, however, found 'no evidence of inappropriate behaviour with students', the Lewisville Independent School District said in a statement Thursday. An email sent to parents at the time said the investigation did determine McGann's classroom management and professional judgment to be below district expectations. He resigned in May of that year, the school district said. Sierra Marcum, whose 12-year-old son had McGann as his fourth-grade teacher at Donald Elementary three years ago, said her family's experience with McGann as a teacher was unsettling. 'He was very disinterested, cold, wouldn't make eye contact. He wasn't very good at responding if you had questions,' Marcum recalled of her son's former teacher. Still, Marcum was shocked when her son told her on Wednesday night he'd seen an article reporting that his former teacher had been charged with double homicide. 'It was shocking to see something so violent, horrific and grisly,' Marcum said. Days long search finally ends Earlier this week, police in Arkansas released a photo and a sketch of a man seen on Saturday in the Devil's Den State Park and said they wanted to question him in connection with the Brinks' deaths. They also asked the public to watch out for a white man of medium build who may have driven a Mazda near the park, and to send them any photos or videos from the area that day. Officials got an 'overwhelming' amount of tips from the public, they said on Wednesday. 'A lot of the video footage that we received was instrumental in helping us identify this particular subject,' Rhoads said. Last Saturday afternoon, 'Washington County received a call from the visitor centre', police audio captured by says. 'Two children are there. They advised that their parents were assaulted. One was possibly stabbed. The parents are missing.' The Brinks had recently moved from another state to Prairie Grove, a small town in northwest Arkansas near the Oklahoma border, according to police. Their family has asked for privacy. 'Clinton and Cristen died heroes, protecting their little girls and they deserve justice,' relatives said in a Monday statement. 'They will forever live on in all of our hearts.' Authorities believe Clinton David Brink was attacked first, while Cristen Amanda Brink took the girls to safety and returned to help her husband. The suspect was injured in the attacks, resulting in blood loss, which allowed investigators to establish a DNA profile that ultimately led to his arrest, Hagar said. 'Everyone speculates … that there was a lot of thought that went into this to conceal his identity,' Rhoads said about McGann. 'But … he was also very sloppy.' The killings happened in a part of 2500-acre Devil's Den State Park with thick vegetation and no cell phone service, police said. The park is known for its rugged natural scenery, with waterfalls, caves and rock formations. The couple's bodies were found on the Devil's Den Trail, audio from first responders indicates. The 1.5-mile loop of 'moderate' difficulty is one of 11 trails in the park, and its trailhead is close to the park's visitor centre. While searching the trail, first responders heard shouts, scanner audio indicates, though it's not clear from whom. 'I hear yells calling for help. We're walking down,' a first responder said. 'Try to relay to the office that we found the victims down here,' a first responder says. 'They're on the lower Devil's Den Trail. … I think I see you right there. I've got two bodies down here.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Devil's Den murder suspect had been investigated by Texas school district in 2023
The suspect arrested in the murder of an Arkansas couple in front of their children at Devil's Den State Park was an elementary school teacher who'd been placed on administrative leave at a school district two years ago for improper conduct. Andrew James McGann, 28, was arrested on July 30 in the murders of Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, at Devil's Den State Park in West Fork, Arkansas, on July 26, according to Arkansas State Police. The Brinks had been with their 7-year-old and 9-year-old daughters, who are safe with family. McGann has been charged with two counts of capital murder. McGann was hired as a teacher to begin employment with Springdale Public Schools for the 2025-2026 school year, Superintendent Jared Cleveland said in a statement provided to USA TODAY. Cleveland said McGann had not begun employment with the district or been in contact with any of the district's students or families. Before his employment by Springdale, McGann had been employed at another school district for several years. New detail emerge: School teacher charged with capital murder Suspect administrative leave at Texas school district During the 2022-2023 school year, McGann was an educator at Donald Elementary, part of Lewisville Independent School District in Flower Mound, Texas, Samantha FitzPatrick, spokesperson for Lewisville ISD, told USA TODAY. In spring 2023, McGann was placed on administrative leave by the district following concerns related to "classroom management, professional judgement and student favoritism," FitzPatrick said. An internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students, and McGann resigned from Lewisville ISD in May 2023, FitzPatrick said. Following the announcement of McGann's charges, Lewisville ISD sent a letter to families who previously had students in McGann's 2022-2023 class. "I know news like this can be unsettling. Please know that the safety, well-being and trust of our students and families will always be our top priority," the letter, provided to USA TODAY, states. "If you or your child needs support during this time, our counseling team is here and ready to help." As of Aug. 1, McGann's Texas teaching license remained effective through August 2028, according to the Texas Department of Education. A move to Oklahoma After resigning from Lewisville ISD, McGann was hired as a fifth-grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, for the 2023-2024 school year, Tara Thompson, spokesperson for Broken Arrow Public Schools, told USA TODAY. McGann left of his own accord to work in a different state. Thompson said McGann passed all legally required background checks before his hiring. Despite what he'd said to the school in Broken Arrow, McGann did not move out of Oklahoma. Following his leave, he was hired to teach fifth grade at Northwoods Fine Arts Academy, a part of Sand Springs Public Schools, in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, for the 2024-2025 school year, according to a district statement. At the end of the school year, McGann resigned to move out of the state. McGann passed the mandatory background check before his hiring, the Sand Springs Public School statement said. What happened to the Brinks? Arkansas State Police said the Brink family was hiking together at the state park when the mother and father were "fatally attacked." State police were notified of the incident at about 2:40 p.m. local time on July 26. Authorities discovered the two young girls, who told police that "something had happened to their parents on the trail," Major Stacie Rhoads, of the state police, said during a news conference. "They absolutely protected those girls to their fullest extent, to the point that they cost them their lives. We're in awe of this mom and dad," said Col. Mike Hagar, director of the Arkansas State Police. "We're also in awe of these girls. The information that they were able to provide to start us down this path, to be able to make this arrest." The couple's bodies were found by police on a trail in the state park. The suspect's weapon was identified as a knife, and the victims died from stab wounds, Hagar said. Hagar added that the suspect was injured in the incident, which resulted in blood loss at the scene. The blood "allowed us to establish a DNA profile to begin with," he said. The daughters provided a description of the suspect and another witness at the park was able to describe the suspect's vehicle. Based on the descriptions, Rhoads said, investigators received multiple photos and videos from the public that helped them track down the vehicle and create a composite sketch of the suspect. Authorities located McGann's vehicle at a local barber shop and took him into custody. Rhoads said investigators did not believe the suspect was going to flee the area. In addition to the two daughters on the hike, the Brinks had a third daughter who was not with the family that day, Hager said. McGann's first court appearance was on Aug. 1, the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney's Office told USA TODAY. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Devil's Den murder suspect put on leave by Texas school in 2023
Daily Mail
01-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Teacher who 'slaughtered parents in front of kids' in Devil's Den murder stays silent in eerie first court hearing
The elementary school teacher who confessed to stabbing a couple to death while hiking with their daughters along an Arkansas trail stood eerily silent as he appeared in court for the first time. Andrew James McGann, 28, is charged with the grisly murders of Clinton and Cristen Brink, 43 and 41, after their bodies were found at Devil's Den State Park in the Ozark Mountains Saturday. Both victims suffered multiple stab wounds, with their family saying they died 'heroes' after they rushed their young daughters, aged 7 and 9, to safety. McGann - who was due to start teaching at Springdale Public Schools in the upcoming school year - was arrested Wednesday while getting a haircut at a beauty salon in Springdale. McGann has no known connection to the victims and the motive remains a mystery. He has no prior criminal record and is believed to have acted alone. Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar described the horrific attack as a 'completely random event.' Dressed in striped prison garb, the teacher appeared in Washington County court Friday morning where he was charged with two counts of capital murder. He stood silently next to his public defender, simply nodding his head when asked to confirm his name. Elementary school teacher Andrew McGann seen in mugshot following his arrest for murder During the brief, minutes-long hearing, the judge revoked his bond for the chilling murders. McGann was ordered to return to court for his arraignment on August 25. Prosecutors also asked that he be banned from making any contact with the victims' family. If convicted, McGann faces the death penalty. The Brinks had only recently moved to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, from North Dakota with their three daughters. On Saturday July 26, they had taken two of their daughters hiking in Devil's Den State Park when McGann allegedly attacked. The third child wasn't with them on the trails. Maj. Stacie Rhoads with the Arizona State Police Criminal Investigation Division said in a press conference Thursday that Clinton Brink was attacked first. Cristen rushed their two children to safety before going back to try to 'help her husband', Rhoads said. 'The mother did not return all the way to the car with the kids,' Rhoads said. 'We believe that the mother took them to safety and then returned to help her husband.' When she returned, she was also stabbed to death. The children were unharmed and were found around half a mile into the park, police said. They were able to describe the killer to investigators, who compiled a sketch. The Brinks children are now in the care of family members. Following a five-day manhunt, police zeroed in on McGann as the suspect in the slayings. Hagar said that the killer had sustained injuries in the deadly attack, leaving blood behind at the scene. Investigators were able to build a DNA profile from the blood - leading them to the 28-year-old teacher. Investigators also honed in on McGann's vehicle, a black KIA Stinger, which was captured on security footage from businesses close to the trail. Rhoads said that the suspect had used tape to hide the license plate and other identifying features of the vehicle - a ploy that initially led police to believe it was four-door Mazda. Once identified, police were able to track McGann down to Lupita's Beauty Salon and Barber Shop in Springdale. Stunning surveillance footage captured the moment police swooped on McGann while he was getting a haircut at around 5pm Wednesday. Hairdresser Adriana Ruiz Avalos told NewsNation he 'looked soulless' and that she had 'an eerie feeling' about McGann when he came into the barbershop. He repeatedly refused to let her shorten his hair at the front so that it would continue to cover his eyes, she said. Avalos said the suspect also refused to give the workers his name, simply staring straight ahead when asked. Following his arrest, police said he confessed to the murders after being presented with the DNA evidence tying him to the crime scene. A search of his home uncovered knives as well as items seen in a photo of a suspect by the trails that day, Rhoads said. It is not yet clear if the murder weapon has been found. McGann has worked at multiple schools across Oklahoma and Texas before recently moving to Arkansas. He was due to take up a position with Springdale Public Schools in the upcoming school year, Superintendent Jared Cleveland said in a statement following his arrest. Cleveland said that McGann had not yet begun working for the district and had not had any contact with students or families. Following his arrest, new details are emerging about his past teaching roles, including some potentially disturbing reports about his behavior. McGann is licensed to teach elementary and middle school grades in at least three states - Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas - according to state records. While his past employers insist he passed background checks, the 28-year-old had bounced around multiple districts and states and left at least one position following allegations of 'inappropriate behavior.'
The Sun
31-07-2025
- The Sun
Disturbing past of teacher Andrew James McGann who ‘stabbed couple to death in front of kids' as DNA ties him to scene
NEW details have emerged about the man accused of stabbing a couple to death in front of their daughters in an Arkansas state park. Andrew James McGann, 28, is an elementary teacher who spent the last few years moving from school to school after disturbing allegations about his creepy behavior. 8 8 McGann was set to start teaching third grade next week, but is now behind bars after allegedly murdering Clinton Brink and his wife, Cristen Brink, while their two daughters, 7 and 9, ran to safety. After a five-day manhunt, McGann was arrested and admitted to police that he killed the Brinks in Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas on Saturday, according to the Arkansas State Police. Clinton was stabbed first, then Cristen got her daughters to safety before she came back to help her husband and was also stabbed to death, ASP said at a press conference on Thursday. Chilling audio revealed the moment that police found the parents' bodies after the girls fled to a nearby visitor center for help. DNA taken from McGann matched DNA from the horrific scene in the park, police said. Cops believe McGann, who had no criminal history, acted alone and that it was a random attack because he didn't know the Brinks. Investigators are still trying to determine a motive. McGann had recently moved to the area as he was hired as a "teacher candidate" for the upcoming school year, Springdale Public Schools said in a statement to The U.S. Sun. "This individual has not at any time come into contact with Springdale students or the families we serve," SPS said. While he hadn't yet met his potential Arkansas students, McGann previously got in trouble for inappropriate contact during his first year teaching. Haunting new pics of person of interest in murder of parents who died saving daughters as girls' brave response revealed After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in elementary education in May 2022, he moved to northwestern Texas to teach fourth-grade math at Donald Elementary in Flower Mound. "The individual was placed on administrative leave in the spring of 2023 following concerns related to classroom management, professional judgment, and student favoritism," the school district, Lewisville ISD, said in a statement shared with THe U.S. Sun. "An internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students. The teacher resigned from the district in May 2023." Sierra Marcum, a mom of one of McGann's former students at Donald Elementary, said the teacher was the "most standoffish teacher she had ever met," according to the Associated Press. 'Pretty cold. You could ask him a question, and he would give you a one-word response,' Marcum told the outlet. 'Overall just pretty disinterested in his students.' Statements from suspect's previous employers Before he was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, Andrew James McGann worked as an elementary school teacher. Below are statements from some of the schools he was hired by: Lewisville ISD Lewisville ISD is aware of the recent arrest of a former teacher who was employed at Donald Elementary during the 2022-23 school year. The individual was placed on administrative leave in the spring of 2023 following concerns related to classroom management, professional judgment, and student favoritism. An internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students. The teacher resigned from the district in May 2023. Our hearts are with the victims and all those affected by this tragic situation. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority, and we are committed to supporting our school community during this time. As this is an ongoing law enforcement matter, any additional questions should be directed to the investigating agency. Broken Arrow Public Schools The man who was arrested in Arkansas for the murders at Devil's Den State Park was a teacher for Broken Arrow Public Schools during the 23/24 school year. He was a 5th grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary during the 23/24 school year and left of his own accord to work out of state. As with all employees hired by the district, he was subjected to and passed the legally required background checks prior to being hired. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family affected by this unimaginable act of violence. Sand Springs Public Schools Sand Springs Public Schools is aware of the recent arrest of a former employee. Andrew McGann was employed at Sand Springs Public Schools from the summer of 2024 to May 2025. At the end of the 2024-25 school year, McGann resigned his position to move out of state. The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. Every employee undergoes a mandatory background check for the district when they are hired. Additionally, each teacher undergoes a background check for the Oklahoma State Department of Education. McGann passed all background checks. While SSPS has not yet been contacted by authorities regarding this matter, the district has and will always comply with requests from law enforcement in any investigation. Our hearts are with the family and loved ones who have suffered this tragic loss. Springdale Public Schools Springdale Public Schools can confirm that Andrew McGann was a teacher candidate hired for the upcoming school year, who has not yet begun employment with the district. This individual has not at any time come into contact with Springdale students or the families we serve. At this time, we cannot offer any additional information due to the ongoing investigation. At the appropriate time, additional information will be forthcoming. Our entire team extends our deepest condolences to the Brink family. Their children are especially in our thoughts and prayers. Marcum claimed that her son noticed inappropriate behavior from him towards little girls in his class, but the school district didn't comment on the allegation. After leaving Texas, McGann went back to the state of Oklahoma, where he worked as a fifth-grade science and social studies teacher for Broken Arrow Public Schools during the 2023-2024 school year. "As with all employees hired by the district, he was subjected to and passed the legally required background checks prior to being hired," Broken Arrow Public Schools said in a statement to The U.S. Sun. The district said he left the position to work in his state. 8 8 However, he stayed in Oklahoma and taught at Sand Springs Public Schools, near Tulsa, from summer 2024 until May of this year. He passed all background checks for the job, the district said in a statement. He resigned to take a job in another state. McGann had not yet started his job in Arkansas at Springdale Public Schools, the district confirmed. Timeline of the murders Clinton Brink, 43, and Cristen Brink, 43, were killed while hiking at Devil's Den State Park with their daughters. Below is a timeline of the case: July 16 - The Brink family has their water service turned on after recently moving to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, according to Mayor David Falk. July 27 - Clinton and Cristen are found dead on Devil's Den trail at around 2:30 pm after their two daughters ran to the visitor's center and said their parents were attacked. July 27 - Police release the identities of the slain couple. Cops ask park visitors to check their pictures and footage from Saturday for possible images of the suspect. July 28 - Arkansas State Police releases a sketch of a person of interest in the case. July 29 - ASP releases a picture from a witness of the person of interest in the case. July 30 - Andrew James McGann is arrested mid-haircut at Lupita's Beauty Salon and Barber Shop just before 5 pm. On Wednesday evening, he was arrested while getting a haircut at Lupita's Beauty Salon and Barber Shop, which is just about a 30-minute drive from where he allegedly slaughtered the Brinks. The Brinks had recently moved from South Dakota to Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas. Prairie Grove Mayor David Faulk said the family's water was connected just two weeks ago. 8 8 8 Clinton Brink, 43, was set to start working as a milk delivery driver on Monday, his employer said. Cristen Brink, 41, was a licensed nurse in South Dakota before the move. The family said Clinton and Cristen, who had three daughters together, died as "heroes protecting their little girls." The two young daughters weren't injured and are now safe with their family. McGann faces charges of two counts of capital murder and could face the death penalty for the crime. He's expected to appear in court on Friday.
CTV News
31-07-2025
- CTV News
A teacher has been charged in the stabbing deaths of a couple in an Arkansas state park
The trail head to the Devil's Den trail at Devils Den State Park remains closed Monday, July 28, 2025, in West Fork, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Arkansas police have charged a 28-year-old schoolteacher in the stabbing deaths of a married couple who were killed when they were hiking with two of their children at Devil's Den State Park. State Police arrested Andrew James McGann on Wednesday at a barbershop in Springdale not far from the park, according to Col. Stacie Rhoads, commander of the department's criminal investigation division. McGann was charged with two counts of capital murder and is being held without bond Thursday in the Washington County jail. Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar said during a news conference Thursday that authorities are trying to determine a motive for the attack and have no reason to believe McGann knew the couple or their children. Police have repeatedly declined to discuss a possible motive for the killings. Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead on a walking trail at Devil's Den on Saturday. Two of their three daughters who were with them at the time were not hurt and are being cared for by family members, authorities have said. They are are 7 and 9, officials said. Officials said the husband was stabbed first, then the mother ushered her children to safety before returning to help her husband. Springdale Public Schools said in a statement it had hired McGann as a teacher candidate for the upcoming year but that he had not yet had any contact with its families or students. Springdale is about 30 miles (50 kilometres) north of Devil's Den, where trails have remained closed since the killings on Saturday. A lawyer couldn't be located for McGann, and a message was left for a number listed for him. His first court appearance is scheduled for Friday. 'If you commit a violent, senseless act here in our state, our law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice, because that's what the people of Arkansas frankly deserve,' Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters. Police flooded with tips In the days after the attack, police released a composite sketch and a photo of a person of interest that showed them only from behind. Authorities urged trailgoers who had been at the park on the same day to check their camera rolls for photos or video that could help point to a suspect. Rhoads said the public's help and video footage they received was instrumental in capturing McGann. Tips came in from as far away as Washington state, she said. Suspect taught in other states before Arkansas job McGann has active teaching licenses in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, according to each respective government certification website. There are no infractions or suspensions noted on his public state licensures in any of those states. The Associated Press reached out to all three state education agencies on Thursday. McGann was placed on administrative leave in spring 2023 while he was employed at Donald Elementary School in Flower Mound, Texas, 'following concerns related to classroom management, professional judgment, and student favoritism,' according to a spokesperson for the Lewisville Independent School District. Sierra Marcum, whose son was in McGann's fourth grade class, said the teacher came across as standoffish, 'pretty cold,' and 'disinterested in his students.' Marcum said her son had come home from school upset and complaining about McGann, which she reported to the school's principal. McGann resigned from the Lewisville posting in May 2023, the district said in a statement. McGann was also a teacher at a small Oklahoma school district starting in the summer of 2024 until May this year. He resigned to take a job in another state, according to a statement from Sand Springs Public Schools, which is near Tulsa. The district said McGann passed all background checks. Law enforcement hasn't contacted Sand Springs Public Schools regarding the investigation, according to district spokesperson Lissa Chidester. McGann had not yet started his new job in Arkansas at Springdale Public Schools, said Jared Cleveland, the district superintendent. He said the district could not provide more information, citing the investigation. 'Our entire team extends our deepest condolences to the Brink family. Their children are especially in our thoughts and prayers,' Cleveland said. Victims had recently moved to Arkansas The Brinks had recently moved from South Dakota to the small city of Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas. Their water was connected less than two weeks ago, Mayor David Faulk said. Clinton Brink had been scheduled to start working as a milk delivery driver on Monday in the Fayetteville area, according to Hiland Dairy, his employer. Cristen Brink had been licensed as a nurse in Montana and South Dakota before moving to Arkansas. The Brink family said the couple died 'heroes protecting their little girls.' 'Our entire state is grieving for the tragic loss and senseless and horrific crime that's taken place in this area,' Sanders said. Devil's Den is a 2,500-acre (1,000-hectare) state park near West Fork, about 140 miles (220 kilometres) northwest of Little Rock, the state capital. The park is known for its hiking trails and rock formations, and it is a short drive from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and Walmart's Bentonville headquarters. It has been a state park since the 1930s and its trails lead to the surrounding Ozark National Forest. By Andrew Demillo And Safiyah Riddle Riddle reported from Montgomery, Alabama. Associated Press reporter Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed.
