School Custodian Found Hiding In High School Girls’ Locker Room

A disturbing incident at a West Virginia high school is a harsh reminder of the constant safety risks women and young girls face. A school custodian was caught hiding in a girls’ locker room during a basketball game, proving once again that "creepers" can be anywhere—even in spaces that are supposed to be safe.

A Custodian in the Closet

During a game between Martinsburg and Hedgesville High Schools, 25-year-old custodian William Howard Shoup was found hiding inside a closet in the visiting team’s locker room.

Law enforcement was called immediately, and Shoup was arrested on the spot. He has since been fired, but the damage to the students' sense of security has already been done.

School Superintendent Dr. Ryan Saxe said, “We appreciate the quick action and urgency demonstrated by the Martinsburg City Police Department. As part of their immediate response, and in conjunction with school administration from both schools, all students involved were interviewed, and families were contacted last evening. We are grateful to our administrators for working closely with law enforcement to communicate with and support the impacted families.”

29 Counts of Predatory Behavior

Shoup is currently facing 29 criminal charges, and his bail has been set at $1.3 million. The charges include:

• 14 counts of “Invasion of privacy – Visual portrayal of other who is full or partially nude without permission.
• 13 counts of attempting to commit a felony.
• 2 counts involving possession of a deadly weapon on school grounds.

This wasn't just a lapse in judgment; it was a calculated effort to prey on young women in their most vulnerable moments.

What The School Said

School Superintendent Dr. Ryan Saxe said, “We understand that this situation may raise serious concerns within our school community. While we recognize the desire for additional information, we are unable to share further details at this time in order to protect privacy and preserve the integrity of the investigation. We can share that our district follows a comprehensive hiring process that includes background checks for all employees.”

"We deeply regret that this incident occurred and understand the fear, stress, and concern this may cause for our students, families, and staff. Our thoughts are with the students and teams involved, and support services have been initiated for any students who may need assistance as they work through the emotional impact of this incident.”

Protecting Yourself from the "Creeper" Culture

While the school district claims they perform background checks, this incident proves that paperwork isn't always enough to keep predators out. School officials are now offering support services to the traumatized athletes, but the reality is that women are often forced to be their own first line of defense.

Public Warning: always check stalls, closets, and corners in public or semi-public changing areas. Predators rely on people being too comfortable or distracted to notice them.

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