MCPD: 16-Year-Old Clarksburg High School Student Charged With Possession of Firearm

According to Montgomery County Police, a 16-year-old Clarksburg High School student has been arrested and charged with possession of a firearm.

Per MCPD: “At approximately 11:33 a.m., on Tuesday, April 23, Montgomery County Department of Police Community Engagement Officers were dispatched and responded to the Clarksburg High School campus in the 22500 block of Wims Road, after a witness reported to school security that the student had a gun.

The student consented to a search and an unloaded Ruger handgun was recovered. Based on the information provided and evidence of the gun, the student has been charged as an adult by the Firearms Investigations Unit. He was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he awaits a bond hearing.”

The student also faces charges of underage possession of a firearm and possession of a dangerous weapon on school property. We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.

Earlier, we reported that Clarksburg principal Anita O’Neill sent a message informing the school community that a student was found with an unloaded gun in their possession at school. The full message can be seen below:

“Dear Clarksburg Parents, Students, and Staff,

I write to inform you about a serious incident that occurred today, Tuesday, April 23 and how it was addressed.

An individual reported to a school administrator that they believed they witnessed another student attempting to conceal a weapon in his bag. Montgomery County Police were immediately called and responded to our school very quickly. The student was brought to the office and asked to conduct a self-search; during which an unloaded gun was found. Police arrested the student and removed him from the building. The student will also receive discipline in alignment with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct, which is very specific for violations of a serious matter such as this.

The police had no information concerning a direct threat to the campus or any individual and there is no information that the student intended any harm to anyone in the building today.

What occurred today is an extremely 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 a weapon.

Weapons of any kind may not be brought to school, and students are subjected to serious disciplinary actions in alignment with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct and potentially in violation of the law as is the case today for this incident.

Together, we can work for safety in our community and school; in this case, an individual shared important information that allowed us to act promptly. This is “See something, Say something,” and I am very glad this person took the initiative to report what was seen to the administration.

I want to thank our school staff for their commitment to our established safety procedures and for working swiftly and efficiently to ensure this matter was handled professionally. I also appreciate your cooperation and discussing this issue with your child to work together to maintain a safe and nurturing learning environment at Clarksburg High School.

Sincerely,

Anita O’Neill

Principal

Clarksburg High School”