WHITE PLAINS, Md. — Authorities are investigating how a 9-year-old student came into possession of a firearm that accidentally discharged inside a classroom at Billingsley Elementary School, prompting an early dismissal on Wednesday.
According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m. The child reportedly had a bookbag on their lap when the gun went off, firing a bullet into the ground. No injuries were reported. A teacher and a school resource officer immediately intervened, recovering the firearm from the student’s bag.
Investigators believe the weapon belonged to a relative of the child, though it’s still unclear why the child brought it to school or how they accessed it.
“We’re trying to determine where the gun was and how the child obtained it,” said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Diane Richardson.
Following the incident, the school dismissed students at noon and confirmed that all students and staff were safe. In an email to families, officials said the child indicated they had no intention of harming anyone.
Principal Sabrina Robinson-Taylor later informed parents that the school would remain closed Friday, with counseling services available on-site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for students, staff, and families.
Once the investigation is complete, the sheriff’s office will present the findings to the state’s attorney, who will decide whether criminal charges will be filed.
This marks the second such incident in the region within a week. Earlier, a third-grader in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, accidentally discharged a firearm he brought to school. While the child was not charged, the parents face both misdemeanor and felony charges for leaving the weapon unsecured.
