Gun Found In Student's Bag At Howard Co. High School

COLUMBIA, MD — A 15-year-old boy has been arrested after police say he took an unloaded gun to Hammond High School.

Howard County Police Public Information Officer Seth Hoffman told WMAR that a student saw the teen on the bus with the gun Wednesday. The student notified school officials the next day and a school resource officer found the gun in the teen's backpack. There wasn't ammunition with the gun however, authorities said.

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"Of course, bringing a gun onto school property is very concerning. So we're thankful that the student who did see it said something to administrators exactly what the student should have done," Hoffman told WMAR. "We believe that he may have just wanted to be showing it off."

The teen now faces multiple weapons violations.

Howard County Public School System Communications Director Brian Bassett sent an email to parents and guardians a few hours after the teen boy's arrest.

"School safety is our utmost priority, and the members of the administrative team and security staff will continue to be vigilant in maintaining the safety of Hammond High School," Bassett wrote in the email. "Please know that we take all reports of threats seriously and will continue to work cooperatively with public safety and other agencies to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

Hammond High School is one of two district high schools open for summer school, the other being Howard High School.