Suspect accused of killing couple at Devil’s Den State Park is a former North Texas school teacher

ARKANSAS, USA — The 28-year-old man charged with killing a couple while they were hiking at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas with their two daughters formerly taught elementary school in North Texas.

Andrew James McGann, 28, was arrested Wednesday at a barbershop in Springdale, Arkansas, about 30 miles from the state park, after a five-day search, police say. McGann was charged with two counts of capital murder. A preliminary report from prosecutors detailed how police found McGann, who was getting a haircut at the time of his arrest.

Lewisville ISD confirmed to WFAA that McGann worked at Donald Elementary in the district during the 2022-2023 school year before being placed on administrative leave in the spring of 2023, “following concerns related to classroom management, professional management, and student favoritism.” The district said an internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students. McGann resigned from Lewisville ISD in May of 2023. The Texas Education Agency says McGann has no record of employment in a Texas public school aside from Lewisville ISD. 

Police had been searching for McGann since July 26, when they say he fatally stabbed Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, while they were hiking in Devil’s Den State Park with their two daughters, aged 7 and 9. The children weren’t hurt and are safe with family members, according to police.

“I’m extremely grateful for the long hours and dedication that our Agents put forward in bringing justice to this family. The collaboration between State Police, other state and local law enforcement agencies, and our federal partners has been second to none. 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,” Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar said in a statement. 

“Let there be no mistake – we do not tolerate violent crime in Arkansas. If you target innocent people, law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. 

Lewisville ISD officials shared the following letter with Donald Elementary families:

I wanted to send you a message this morning regarding the story in the news about a former Donald Elementary teacher who was arrested out of state this week. First, I want to share my sincerest condolences to the family of the victims involved in this unimaginable act of violence. Our thoughts will continue to be with them during this time.

Mr. McGann was a teacher at Donald during the 2022-23 school year. In the spring of 2023, we communicated with families of students in Mr. McGann’s class that he was placed on administrative leave while the district investigated complaints of poor classroom management and poor professional judgment related to concerns about uneven treatment of students and displays of favoritism.

Our investigation did not find any evidence of inappropriate behavior with a student, however we did find his classroom management and professional judgment to be below our district’s expectations. Ultimately, Mr. McGann resigned from LISD in May of 2023.

 I know news like this can be unsettling, especially in a close-knit school community like ours. Please know that the safety, well-being, and trust of our students and families will always be our top priority. We remain fully committed to upholding the high standards that define Donald Elementary, and to supporting our students and staff every step of the way. 

 If you or your child need support during this time, our counseling team is here and ready to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

The district also shared the following message to families who previously had students in McGann’s class:

We think it is important to keep you informed of situations that impact our district, even if your student is not directly affected. Former Donald Elementary teacher James McGann was arrested out of state this week. You are receiving this message because after further investigation, it has been determined it is possible Mr. McGann was your child’s teacher in the past. 

 McGann was a teacher at Donald during the 2022-23 school year. In the spring of 2023, we communicated with families of students in Mr. McGann’s class that he was placed on administrative leave while the district investigated complaints of poor classroom management and poor professional judgment related to concerns about uneven treatment of students and displays of favoritism.

 Our investigation did not find any evidence of inappropriate behavior with a student, however we did find his classroom management and professional judgment to be below our district’s expectations. Ultimately, Mr. McGann resigned from LISD in May of 2023.

 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. If you or your child need support during this time, our counseling team is here and ready to help. Please reach out if you need assistance.

The Associated Press reports McGann had been hired as a teacher candidate at Springdale Public Schools for the upcoming school year, but that the district said McGann had not yet come into contact with any of the district’s families or students. 

Most recently, prior to that, the Associated Press reports McGann had taught at Sand Springs Public Schools in a suburb of Tulsa in Oklahoma until May before he resigned to take a job out of state. 

Sierra Marcum told the Associated Press that McGann was a fourth-grade teacher in Flower Mound in North Texas, and taught her son three years ago. She told the AP that McGann was the “most standoff teacher she had ever met.”

“Pretty cold. You could ask him a question and he would give you a one-word response,” Marcum told the AP. “Overall, just pretty disinterested in his students.”