On the morning of March 6, 2025, a high school teacher was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Munford High School in Munford, Tennessee. This tragic event led to the school’s closure for the day.
The deceased, Samuel Colin Day, reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound around 6 a.m., as reported by the local Florida affiliate Fox station, WTVT. The incident occurred in Day’s classroom, prior to the arrival of students.
The Munford Police confirmed the death via their Facebook page, expressing, “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.”
In response to this emergency, an investigation was promptly initiated. The Munford Police Department reassured parents and the community that all students in all schools were safe.
Rebekah Byrd, the Assistant Superintendent of Tipton County Schools, informed WTVTV that the teacher’s death was “an isolated incident,” indicating no broader threat to other staff or students. School officials are collaborating with local authorities as the investigation proceeds.
The Munford Police Department committed to providing updates to parents, students, and community members as additional information becomes available.
This incident is set against a backdrop of rising suicide rates in Tennessee. According to USAFacts, Tennessee’s suicide rate in 2022 was 16.7 per 100,000 people, marking a 25.6% increase over the past two decades. This is still 4.7 percentage points lower than the U.S. increase of 30.3% over the same period. However, the age-adjusted suicide rate in Tennessee remained 35% higher than the national rate.
Nationally, suicide continues to be a significant public health problem. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reported that the age-adjusted suicide rate in the United States rose to 14.0 per 100,000 in 2021 and further increased to 14.2 per 100,000 in 2022.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that suicide was one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., with over 49,000 deaths in 2022—approximately one every 11 minutes.
There are notable gender disparities in suicide rates, with males dying by suicide at rates four times higher than females. The CDC noted, “Males make up 50% of the population but nearly 80% of suicides.”
In 2022, firearms were the most common method used in suicides, accounting for 54.64% of all suicide deaths in the U.S., according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
Tennessee offers various suicide prevention trainings to address this public health issue. The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network provides programs such as Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training, which teaches participants how to recognize warning signs and refer individuals for help.
The Tennessee Department of Health also advocates for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). This training provides comprehensive instruction on suicide intervention and safety planning for caregivers and professionals.
The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network states on their website, “We want to reach every Tennessean, in every county, and the only way to do so is together.” The organization is dedicated to eliminating the stigma of suicide through educational efforts and events.
In 2007, Tennessee became the first state to pass the Jason Flatt Act, requiring mandatory youth suicide awareness and prevention training for teachers and principals. This legislation mandates two hours of youth suicide awareness and prevention education each school year for educators to maintain or renew their teaching licenses.
For those experiencing a mental health crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. Individuals in crisis can call or text 988, chat online at 988lifeline.org, or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with trained counselors.
