Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the honorable Judge David Boynton ruled defendant, Steven Alston, will be tried as an adult. The 17-year-old is facing attempted first-degree murder and other charges for the shooting inside Magruder High School on January 21st, 2022 that wounded a fellow student, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office. He faces more than 100 years in prison if convicted. According to charging documents, “Alston advised he took the handgun to school because he was worried he was going to get jumped.”
Alston was apprehended in a classroom in school after the incident took place and while the school was in lockdown. A privately manufactured firearm (ghost gun) was found nearby inside the school, which is believed to be the gun used by Alston. Police Chief Marcus Jones noted at a press conference that there were several students in the bathroom at the time of the shooting, and nobody called 9-1-1.
According to Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Alston pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the juvenile victims head. The juvenile victim attempted to push the handgun away. Alston pulled the trigger striking the victim in the pelvic area. Alston fled. The school was placed on lockdown. Alston was located in a classroom on the other side of the school. Alston was arrested and during the arrest, officers with the Montgomery County Tactical Police Team observed the lower frame of a handgun lying on the floor by Alston’s feet. Search incidental to arrest officers located a magazine loaded with nine 9mm rounds in Alston’s sock.
Alston was transported to the Montgomery County Police Sixth District Station. After all the students were removed from the classroom, officers located a spent shell casing and an upper portion of the handgun to include the slide, barrel, and spring. This Detective read Alston his rights via the MCP 50 Advise of Rights form. Alston waived his rights and provided a statement. Alston advised he bought the privately made 9mm firearm known as a ghost gun on the internet and a friend helped him put it together. Alston advised he took the handgun to school because he was worried, he was going to get jumped. Alston said he went to the restroom where the victim, and his friends were waiting. Alston did not want to fight so he pulled the gun hoping to scare the victim and his friends away. Alston advised he did not point the handgun at the victim, but the victim attempted to grab the handgun away from him. Alston advised he accidentally pulled the trigger and shot the victim. Alston ran into a classroom and took the handgun apart. All events occurred in Montgomery County Maryland.”
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