SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Montgomery County Police Department was called to Silver Spring International Middle School Thursday after learning that a student shot her classmate with a BB gun.
According to a statement from the principal, the student was showing off the loaded BB gun to a friend while in her 7th-grade classroom, when it accidentally discharged and struck her friend in the thigh.
The classroom teacher immediately called school administrators and security, who confiscated the BB gun and removed both students from the classroom.
The school nurse examined the student who was shot and found no injury.
Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Public School Systemwide Safety and Security were then contacted and reported to the school to investigate the incident.
Principal Karen Bryant sent a message to families following the incident. She urged parents to speak with their children on the dangers and seriousness of bringing weapons to 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 be 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," Byrant said.
Mental health and wellness staff were also brought onto campus after the incident to speak with students and staff members.
WUSA9 reached out to the Montgomery County Police Department and Montgomery County Public Schools for comment. MCPS referred us back to the letter sent to families Thursday:
Good afternoon Silver Spring International Middle School Families.
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 feel they would benefit from a discussion with one of our psychologists or counselors, please let 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 be brought to school, and students may he 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 issue with your child so that we can work together to maintain a safe and nurturing learning environment at Silver Spring International Middle School. Should you have any questions about this matter. please do not hesitate to call the school at 240-740-2750 or by mailing me at Karen_Y_Bryant@mcpsmd.org.
Sincerely.
Karen Bryant Principal
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