LANHAM, Md. — Police say a staff member at a Prince George's County high school found what she believed to be a handgun inside one of the student's backpacks Thursday morning, sending three schools into lockdown mode.
Investigators say a proctor found a backpack inside one of the classrooms at DuVal High School in Lanham during standardized testing. Inside the backpack she found what appeared to be a gun. Bookbags are not allowed inside classrooms during testing, and according to police, the staff member thought the bag was "unusually heavy."
Captain Kyle Benson with the Prince George's Police Department said that when the student noticed the staff member had taken the gun, he attempted to retrieve it.
"A brief struggle over the bag did occur," Benson said.
The DuVal student was no longer on school grounds when officers arrived on scene, according to Benson. Officers and a K-9 unit was in the area searching for the student, who according to police has been identified.
DuVal High School was put on lockdown at 11:05 a.m. The reports of an armed student prompted a lockdown for two other schools in the Lanham area, Robert Goddard Montessori School and CT Reid Elementary School. All three lockdowns wer lifted at 12:02 p.m.
"We are pursuing through the investigation if the suspected weapon, is found to be an actual weapon or a BB-gun or some kind of other device," said Benson.
The police captain said the student could face charges if they determine it was a handgun.
No arrests have been made and no one was injured, according to Prince George's County Police.
This is the second gun-related incident of the month at DuVal High School.
A 15-year-old was charged after a handgun was found in his backpack by school security on Feb. 8. The student, who is not being identified due to their abe, is facing charges of having a handgun on their person, dangerous weapon on school property, possession of a firearm by a minor and loaded handgun on person. The investigation is active and ongoing.
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