An elementary student was wounded on Wednesday when the handgun he had brought to his school in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, discharged, police said.
The incident occurred at about 8:25 a.m. in a classroom at Freetown Elementary School in Glen Burnie, about 10 miles south of Baltimore, Anne Arundel County Police said on social media.
The 7-year-old student suffered an injury to one of his hands, according to WJZ-TV. None of the 15 other children in the classroom was injured.
After the gun discharged, the boy’s teacher got hold of the gun, rendered first aid and contacted school administrators, who called the police.
The student, unnamed by police, was taken to a hospital for treatment.
County police said a preliminary investigation found that the injured student had brought the gun from home.
“Somebody could have died today, and I think we are all standing here thanking whoever we believe in that this ended with the minimal amount of injuries,” said police Capt. Jacklyn Davis, according to WJZ-TV.
Freetown Elementary let students out at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Anne Arundel County Public Schools said on social media. The school reopened as scheduled on Thursday, according to WBAL-TV.
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman addressed the incident, saying on social media that “thankfully, no other individuals were injured. Still, we have students, parents, teachers, and school faculty who have been left traumatized. A gun in one of our schools is our worst nightmare, and we are all grateful this did not end worse.”
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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