A fully loaded firearm was recovered from a student’s locker at St. Charles High School after a school administrator observed suspicious behavior on April 30. The administrator noticed the student, age 15, holding a book bag in an unusual manner before placing it into a locker. A search of the locker led to the discovery of the weapon, which authorities described as a polymer handgun equipped with a switch that could convert it to function as a machine gun and loaded with a 30-round magazine.
The incident prompted Charles County Public Schools to dismiss students for the day while detectives from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), school resource officers, and school administrators coordinated their response. K9 gun detection teams from CCSO and other agencies conducted a sweep of the school but found no additional firearms.
This case follows another incident on April 29 when another loaded firearm was found inside the school and another 15-year-old student was arrested. The investigation into both incidents is ongoing.
According to the official website, Nicholas Gwyther served as the inaugural sheriff of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in 1658 according to the official website. Over time, CCSO has evolved from a one-person operation into what it describes as Maryland’s largest full-service sheriff’s office employing more than 600 sworn, corrections, and civilian personnel according to its official website. The agency manages facilities including its La Plata headquarters opened in 2000 and district stations in Waldorf and Indian Head according to its official website.
The CCSO earned Flagship Status in 2011 from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies according to its official website, and states that it is committed to enhancing community safety through superior performance, mutual respect, and innovative techniques according to its official website.
Anyone with information about these cases or knowledge of weapons in schools is encouraged by authorities to contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS or submitting tips online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or via P3Intel mobile app.
