Johnny Richmond, crossing guard at Dean Road Elementary and local celebrity known as 'Mr. Penny,' was hospitalized Monday morning after sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his home.
Police arrived at Richmond's home on Boykin Street at approximately 10:30 a.m.
Richmond underwent surgery Monday afternoon at East Alabama Medical Center.
"We're hopeful," said Christen Herring, assistant superintendent of Auburn City Schools.
Despite rampant rumors of his passing, Richmond is still alive as of 9 p.m. Monday and is now on life support, according to officials at EAMC.
"Information regarding 'Mr. Penny's' condition that was given to the Auburn School Systems around dinnertime Monday was incorrect," read a statement from John Atkinson at EAMC. "We have already apologized to Mr. Penny's family for this mistake. I want to be clear that it was not a clinical mistake, but rather an honest misunderstanding."
The statement ended with an update, declaring Richmond's condition to be critical.
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