A high school teacher tragically ended his own life at Munford High School in Munford, Tennessee, leading to a temporary closure of the school on Thursday, March 6, 2025. The cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The deceased, Samuel Colin Day, was found in his empty classroom around 6 a.m., as reported by Fox’s Florida affiliate, WTVT. The incident occurred before students had arrived at the school.
The Munford Police Department confirmed the tragic event on their Facebook page, stating: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, students, and faculty affected by this heartbreaking event. We ask that the community respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Officials rapidly declared an emergency, launching a formal investigation into the matter. The Munford Police clarified that all students across all schools are safe, addressing the concerns of parents and members of the community.
According to Rebekah Byrd, the Assistant Superintendent of Tipton County Schools, this death was “an isolated incident,” implying no wider threat to other staff or students. The school administration is closely working with local authorities as the investigation progresses.
The Munford Police Department vowed to keep parents, students, and the community informed with updates as more details emerge.
Meanwhile, Tennessee grapples with rising suicide rates. USAFacts reports that the suicide rate in Tennessee in 2022 was 16.7 per 100,000 people, a 25.6% increase from two decades ago. Despite being lower than the national increase of 30.3%, the age-adjusted suicide rate in Tennessee remains 35% higher than the national average.
Nationally, suicide continues to be a major public health concern. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes that the age-adjusted suicide rate rose to 14.2 per 100,000 in 2022, from 14.0 in the previous year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is among the leading causes of death in the United States, claiming over 49,000 lives in 2022, which equates to one death every 11 minutes.
Disparities in suicide rates based on gender are significant, with male suicide rates being four times higher than those of females. The CDC states that “Males make up 50% of the population but nearly 80% of suicides.”
In 2022, firearms were the most common method of suicide, accounting for 54.64% of all suicide deaths in the U.S., as noted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
Efforts to address this public health issue in Tennessee include various suicide prevention trainings. The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network offers programs such as Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training, aimed at teaching participants to recognize warning signs and refer at-risk individuals for help.
The Tennessee Department of Health also recommends Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) for caregivers and professionals, providing comprehensive instruction on suicide intervention and safety planning.
The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network asserts on their website, “We want to reach every Tennessean, in every county, and the only way to do so is together.” The organization is committed to eliminating the stigma associated with suicide through education and events.
In 2007, Tennessee became the first state to enact the Jason Flatt Act, mandating youth suicide awareness and prevention training for teachers and principals. This law requires educators to receive two hours of youth suicide awareness and prevention education each school year to maintain or renew their teaching licenses.
For those facing a mental health crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline operates 24/7. Individuals in distress can call or text 988, chat online at 988lifeline.org, or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with trained counselors.