Loaded handgun found at Joppatowne High School 2 years after deadly shooting
A 15-year-old Harford County student will face charges after the sheriff's office said he brought a loaded handgun to Joppatowne High School, where a student shot and killed a classmate just over two years ago.
The freshman was arrested Thursday after a School Safety Liaison (SSL) alerted school officials that the student may have had a weapon.
An immediate search found a loaded handgun concealed in the student's belongings. A school resource officer who was on scene detained the student.
"A search was initiated immediately by the SSL. The SRO, who was on scene, was notified and detained the student. The search revealed that the student had concealed a loaded handgun in his belongings," the Harford County Sheriff's Office said.
Deputies said the Department of Juvenile Services will determine the next steps in the case.
"Throughout the school year, our SROs and our partners at HCPS train and meet regularly to create a safe learning environment for all students in our Harford County communities," the sheriff's office said. "Bringing a weapon to school is never acceptable and will not be tolerated. If you or your child sees, hears, or becomes aware of anything unusual, please remember to immediately alert the SRO and school staff."
The sheriff's office added that the combination of partnerships, training and technology led to a safe outcome.
The incident comes just over two years after a deadly shooting at Joppatowne High School.
On Sept. 6, 2024, student Jaylen Prince shot and killed 15-year-old Warren Grant inside a Joppatowne High School bathroom. Prince was found guilty of first-degree murder in May 2025 and sentenced to 80 years in prison in October 2025.
Prosecutors said Prince brought a loaded gun to school and followed Grant into the bathroom, threatening to shoot him at least four times before pulling the trigger.
Students who were freshmen during the 2024 shooting said Thursday's incident brought back memories of that day.
"I was going to the bathroom today, I saw a lot of teachers in the hallway, a lot of staff," said Avery Lockridte, a junior at Joppatowne High School. "And once I got back to my class, it was like there was a student who tried to come into the school today with a fully loaded handgun."
"They said that a student had come in with a loaded handgun and he had been detained and stuff, so the situation was under control," added Elijah Trim, a Joppatowne High School junior.
