David Clay Murray, a teacher at Langley High School, is facing charges in Maryland after being arrested on Aug. 9 for conversing via a messaging app with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, but was an undercover officer.

On Aug. 12, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid addressed Langley High School families in an email, making aware of Murray’s arrest and subsequent suspension from the school division.

“I found out about it from friends talking about [him] in group chats, the reaction has just been shock,” said Luke Yang, a senior at Langley High School and former student of Murray.

According to Reid, no Fairfax County children or students were involved in these incidents. Murray, who has no prior offenses, graduated from Fairfax High School and went to college at the University of Virginia. He taught at FCPS for 23 years, with his past taught courses including pre-calculus and AP Computer Science, among others.

“We understand this will come as a shock to our community,” Reid said in the email. “We are doing everything we can to address this situation… When engaging in conversations with your child, listen calmly and reassuringly, and share a message that you are someone your child can talk to.”

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office began conducting online investigations in early August. The detective, posing as a minor, was approached by Murray. Murray continued the sexual conversation despite her repeatedly reminding Murray of her age. After detectives secured an arrest warrant, Murray was taken into custody in Fairfax County and is now awaiting extradition to Maryland.

“The news has spread pretty far already,” said an anonymous Langley High School senior, also a former student of Murray. “I feel a lot of students and parents will be more cautious of student-teacher relationships at Langley as we go back to school.”

Langley High School students will return to school starting next week, Aug. 19.

“It was very shocking because Murray was known as a chill, friendly teacher,” the anonymous student said. “He’s known for being a nice teacher and football coach at Langley. I thought he was a good teacher.”

Students expressed concern following the shocking news of the faculty member’s arrest.

“Langley should respond quickly by checking their teachers better to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” Yang said.