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Montgomery County leaders announce gun buyback program as teen fights for life after shooting

Leaders announced a plan to get guns off the street just a few miles from where a 17-year-old boy was shot four times in Montgomery Village.

MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, Md. — A community-wide effort is underway to take guns out of the hands of kids in Montgomery County. The Rockville police chief is teaming up with the state's attorney's office and school leaders to keep the community and classrooms safe with a gun buyback program.

The program kicked off Wednesday, just hours after a 17-year-old boy was shot four times. We're told the boy is fighting for his life at the hospital.

The Montgomery County Police Department says they're still looking for suspects outside the Cider Mill apartments.

The 17-year-old boy was shot and seriously injured around 11:23 p.m. on Tuesday in Montgomery Village, according to MCPD. The victim, who has not been identified, was involved in some kind of dispute outside the apartment complex on Lost Knife Circle. 

Officers and firefighters responded to the scene and located the teen suffering from gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Neighbors say it's just the latest incident at the apartment complex.

"I'm glad I don't see it, cuz I really would be trying to run up out of here," neighbor Mary Steverson said. "I'm already trying to leave."

Steverson, who has lived in the complex for five years, said there is a lot of drug activity in the neighborhood and said she's not surprised that violence sometimes follows.

Less than 10 miles away in Rockville, Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy, Rockville Police Chief Victor Brito and the school superintendent jointly announced a gun buy-back program. On Saturday, Aug. 27, at the police station, $100 Visa gift cards will be offered in exchange for guns turned in, or $200 for assault-style weapons.

"What's the objective?" McCarthy asked. "One, reduce guns in our community through the buyback and two, reduce guns in our schools."[My] office wants to be a partner with schools to educate them about laws and obligations they have and some of the dangers." 

The buyback comes just six months after a shooting inside Magruder High School that shocked the community, and left a 15-year-old student fighting for his life. Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight said as a response, the school focused on preparing resource officers, securing vestibules and offering additional safety training for teachers.

MCPD have not made any arrests in the Montgomery Village shooting.

Anyone who may have information about that case is asked to contact police at 240-773-TIPS or the 6th District Investigative Section at 240-773-5770. 

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