Second grader accidentally shot himself inside Anne Arundel County classroom; suffers non-life-threatening injuries
A second-grade student suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound after bringing a gun to an elementary school in Glen Burnie on Wednesday morning, according to Anne Arundel County police.
The accidental gun discharge happened inside a classroom at Freetown Elementary School around 8:30 a.m.
"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," County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a statement.
The boyfriend of the child's mother was charged with leaving a loaded firearm within reach of a minor, police said Thursday.
Child injured during accidental shooting
The 7-year-old boy suffered injuries to his hand, police said. Other students were in the classroom at the time, but no other injuries were reported.
"None of us can imagine the terror or the fear that students experienced here this morning, and the teacher," said Police Chief Amal Awad.
According to police, a teacher secured the weapon and provided aid to the student. Police said nine students were in the classroom at the time.
"We are very grateful that the teacher was very responsive in addressing that child's injuries and making sure first responders were notified," Awad said.
The child was taken to Shock Trauma with non-life-threatening injuries after the incident, according to county fire officials.
Police are now investigating how the child got the weapon and why it was fired. Preliminarily, detectives believe the child got the gun from his home.
"How did a 7-year-old baby get ahold of a firearm and make it all the way to school? This isn't on the school," Awad said. "How did a 7-year-old child gain access to a firearm and discharge it?"
Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 410-222-6135 or the anonymous county tip line at 410-222-4700.
"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 Capt. Jacklyn Davis, with the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
Students dismissed early
According to Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell, the building was placed on hold during the incident.
Freetown Elementary dismissed students at 11:15 a.m., and bus riders were taken home on their normal routes, district officials said.
"We think that there's a lot of trauma not only for the students, but for the faculty and staff," Bedell said.
Crisis counselors will be on site for students and parents. Bedell said classes will resume on Thursday.
Students and families can also utilize the county's Crisis Response Line at 410-768-5522.
"I'm shaken up"
Parents said they rushed to the elementary school as soon as they heard about the incident.
"I was panicked, so let's go check what happened," said parent Irsa.
"I'm shaken up, I'm too shook, my nerves are so shot," said parent Jasmine Higgins.
Higgins told WJZ one of the volunteers told her about the discharging.
"I called one of the parents who i know volunteers here and she told me, 'Come get your child, there was a shooting.' They told us all the kids were safe," Higgins said.
