Montgomery County Police Responds to Accidental Discharge of BB Gun at Local Middle School on Thursday

A letter (available below) was sent home to the Silver Spring International Middle School community on Thursday, December 8th, detailing an incident involving a BB gun accidentally discharging and striking a student in the leg during the school day.

According to the letter, a 7th grade student showed a BB gun to a friend when it accidentally discharged and struck her friend in the upper thigh. There were no injuries, as the student was examined by the school nurse following the incident, and the BB gun was confiscated by school security. Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Public School Systemwide Safety reported to the school to investigate the incident. Full letter below:

“The purpose of this letter is to make you aware of an incident that occurred today, December 8, and how it was addressed. In a 7th-grade classroom, during third-period instruction, a student showed a BB gun to a friend when it accidentally discharged, striking her friend in the upper right thigh. The classroom teacher immediately contacted school administrators and school security. The school nurse examined the student, and fortunately, there was no injury. Security staff responded, confiscated the BB gun, and removed both students from the classroom.

Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Public School Systemwide Safety and Security were contacted and reported to the school. They are currently at the school investigating this incident. Several students witnessed this event in the classroom; as you can imagine, many of them were upset by what they saw. School mental health and wellness staff is present at school to speak with any child or staff member who may need those services. When your child returns home, and you fel they would benefit from a discussion with one of our psychologists or counsciors, please Ict us know by calling the school.

This is a very serious matter, and I am requesting that you take a moment with your child to reinforce the seriousness of bringing anything to school that could be considered to be a weapon. Weapons of any kind may not he brought to school, and students may be subjected to serious disciplinary actions in alignment with the MCPS Student_Code of Conduct and potentially in violation of the law.

I appreciate your cooperation and you discussing this issuc with your child so that we can work together to maintain a safe and nurturing learning environment at Silver Spring International Middle School.”

Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps