You might feel shaken learning a young child brought a gun into a classroom and injured themselves. This article explains what happened, how staff and first responders reacted, and what can be done to prevent a similar incident.
They will find a clear timeline of the event and the immediate steps taken to secure the scene and care for the injured child. Expect a concise look at how investigators traced firearm access and practical safety lessons families and schools can use right away.
Incident Overview and Immediate Response
A handheld firearm discharged inside a second-grade classroom at Freetown Elementary, injuring a 7-year-old student. School staff secured the weapon, administered first aid, and called Anne Arundel County Police, who quickly contained the scene.
Timeline of Events at Freetown Elementary
- 8:25 a.m.: Staff reported a gunshot inside the classroom and notified administrators.
- Minutes later: The classroom teacher secured the handgun and provided first aid to the injured second-grade student.
- Shortly after: School officials called 911 and Anne Arundel County Police officers arrived on site to secure the building.
The injured 7-year-old student suffered a hand wound described by police as non-life-threatening and was transported to a local hospital. Detectives began an immediate investigation into how the firearm entered the school and preliminary statements indicate the child obtained the weapon from home.
Actions by School Staff and Emergency Responders
The classroom teacher acted first, removing and securing the pistol and applying aid until medical personnel arrived. Administrators notified central office staff at Anne Arundel County Public Schools and cooperated with responding units.
Anne Arundel County Police established a perimeter, recovered the firearm, and interviewed staff and students. Crisis response teams were made available to students and families. Police asked the public to contact Northern District detectives with information and reminded residents about free gun locks offered through county programs.
Student and Community Impact
Other students in the classroom were uninjured but witnessed the incident; school officials arranged counseling and support services on campus. Parents and community members expressed concern about safety protocols at Freetown Elementary in Glen Burnie and sought details from Superintendent Mark Bedell and Police Chief Amal Awad.
Local leaders emphasized the wound was non-life-threatening while investigators examined whether the handgun, reported in some accounts as a Glock 27, came from the student’s residence. Charges and next steps were referenced in follow-up reporting as detectives continued their probe.
Firearm Access, Investigation, and Safety Lessons
Authorities confirmed the child brought a loaded handgun into a second‑grade classroom, the weapon discharged, and the student suffered a non‑life‑threatening hand injury. The account raised questions about how the gun left a residence and what steps schools and law enforcement are taking to prevent repeats.
How the Firearm Entered the School
Anne Arundel County Police reported the firearm originated outside the school and was in the student’s possession when it discharged in the classroom. Investigators are focused on the chain of custody: where the gun was stored at home, who had lawful access, and whether a responsible adult secured it according to Maryland laws.
Because the child was seven, officials emphasized the weapon was accessible to a minor rather than carried by intent to harm. That detail shifts inquiry toward safe‑storage practices, including whether the firearm was loaded and stored unlocked or within reach.
Families and neighbors told local reporters they want clarity about whether the child retrieved the gun from a residence or vehicle. The difference matters for potential charges and for tailoring prevention — for example, promoting locked safes versus educating caretakers about keeping firearms unloaded and separate from ammunition.
Police and School Investigation Updates
Anne Arundel County police opened an active investigation and interviewed school staff, students, and family members to reconstruct the morning’s events. Officers canvassed the school, reviewed witness statements, and collected the firearm for ballistic and safety checks.
School administrators cooperated by providing video access and attendance logs. They also began an internal review of supervision protocols and arrival routines to find any gaps in student monitoring.
The investigation will determine if any criminal charges apply and whether school safety procedures were followed. Police indicated findings will guide whether to involve the county prosecutor and whether disciplinary actions inside the school are warranted.
Consequences and Legal Action
Legal outcomes depend on the investigation’s findings about storage and custody. If the firearm belonged to a household member and was stored unsafely, state law and local ordinances could expose adults to charges related to negligent storage or contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Anne Arundel prosecutors may pursue charges if evidence shows gross negligence. Civil consequences are also possible, including school discipline for students involved and liability claims by the family or school district.
Separately, the incident prompted calls for policy reviews on mandatory reporting and penalties tied to loaded firearms accessible to minors. Local leaders pointed to enforcement of existing safe‑storage laws as a practical enforcement path.
Ongoing Focus on Secure Firearm Storage
Public health and law enforcement pointed to secure firearm storage as the primary prevention step. Anne Arundel County officials highlighted options like gun safes, trigger locks, and storing ammunition separately. Free gun locks and disposal programs were urged as immediate, low‑cost interventions.
Community groups also recommended education campaigns that pair distribution of locks with in‑person demonstrations at schools and clinics. The county’s gun violence intervention team suggested outreach targeted to households with children, emphasizing that even legally owned firearms must be controlled to prevent accidental gun discharge.
Police and school outreach materials now stress a three‑part rule: unloaded, locked, and inaccessible to children. They encouraged parents to contact local police or public health units for resources on safe‑storage tools and to request free gun locks where available.
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