Custodian Charged After Allegedly Concealing Himself in Girls’ Locker Room During High School Basketball Game

A custodian employed by Berkeley County Schools is facing numerous criminal charges after authorities say he was found hiding inside a girls’ locker room at Martinsburg High School while a basketball game was underway.

School officials reported that the incident occurred during a girls’ varsity basketball matchup between Martinsburg High School and visiting Hedgesville High School. During the event, a custodian identified as Mr. Shoup was discovered concealed inside a storage closet within the visiting team’s locker room.

Administrators immediately contacted law enforcement, and officers responded to the scene, where the suspect was taken into custody without incident. Authorities have since filed a total of 29 charges in connection with the case, though the exact nature of those charges has not yet been publicly disclosed.

In coordination with the Martinsburg City Police Department and leadership from both schools, officials promptly conducted interviews with students who may have been affected. Families were also notified the same evening to ensure transparency and provide support.

Berkeley County Schools confirmed it is fully cooperating with investigators and stated that the employee involved will no longer work at Martinsburg High School or anywhere within the district.

District leaders emphasized that all employees undergo a thorough hiring process that includes criminal background checks prior to employment.

Superintendent Dr. Ryan Saxe addressed the situation in a statement, calling the incident deeply troubling and reaffirming the district’s commitment to student safety.

“The safety and dignity of our students is non-negotiable. This situation is extremely concerning, and our primary focus is on supporting the students and families impacted. We are working closely with law enforcement and will take all necessary measures to ensure accountability while also reviewing and strengthening supervision and access controls in student areas during school activities,” Saxe said.

In a message sent to families and staff, the district acknowledged the seriousness of the incident but noted that certain details cannot be released at this time to protect student privacy and preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

School officials also confirmed that counseling and support services have been made available to any students who may be experiencing emotional distress related to the incident.

Authorities have not yet clarified when or how the individual gained access to the locker room. The investigation remains active, and school officials say additional security measures and procedural reviews are underway to help prevent similar incidents in the future.