Child hospitalized after gun goes off in Anne Arundel Co. elementary school
A Maryland child is in the hospital Thursday morning after what police are calling an “accidental discharge” of a firearm inside a school in Anne Arundel County.
The incident took place inside a classroom at Freetown Elementary School in Glen Burnie.
According to authorities, the child with the weapon injured his hand when the discharge occurred.
A teacher took possession of the firearm and rendered aid to the student, a police spokesperson said. None of the other children in the classroom were injured.
The injured student was taken to Baltimore Shock Trauma for treatment.
“When we hear calls like this, especially involving children or elderly, it’s very unsettling for all of us, because there’s so many unknowns,” said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal E. Awad. “We’re just grateful that this incident didn’t evolve into something worse.”
On a post on X, Anne Arundel County Public Schools said they are “working with police and providing support services to students at this time.”
Freetown Elementary dismissed all its students at 11:15 a.m., and bus service was provided to those kids who usually take the bus to school.
Parents who need to make alternative arrangements are being told to contact the school.
Anne Arundel Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell shared during a presser event that classes will resume on Thursday.
This is a developing story. Stay with WTOP for the latest.
WTOP’s Jeff Leon and Kate Ryan contributed to this report.