Teen Charged As Adult After Loaded Gun Found On Campus

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A 17-year-old student from Gaithersburg High School was arrested and charged as an adult Tuesday after police found a loaded handgun in his backpack while on campus.

The Gaithersburg Police Department said in a release that law enforcement officials were notified around 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, after school personnel received an anonymous tip from a community member.

Once on the scene, police located the student and found a .40-caliber Glock handgun that was fitted with an extended magazine. The serial number was also removed.

The teenager is now facing charges of:

• Dangerous weapon on school property
• Handgun on person
• Loaded handgun on person
• Minor in possession of a firearm
• Possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number

Although the teen is being charged as an adult, police said a photo will not be released due to his age. Authorities also did not release his name.

Police told Patch that investigators do not know how the student obtained the handgun, why it was brought to school, or what his intentions were.

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Officials are also not aware of the relationship between the student and the community member who flagged the case.

"It is important to note that there is no ongoing threat to students, staff, or the community," a statement from police to Patch reads.

Police said a press briefing would not be held this week on the case.

The incident marks the second incident in which a high school student has been charged as an adult this year after bringing a gun on campus.

In February, 16-year-old Kahlil White-Villatoro was charged as an adult after he shot a student and pointed a gun at another student at Thomas S. Wootton High School.

Security measures have been a concern on school grounds.

In the wake of last month's shooting, Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor announced that the district would be launching an AI-powered weapons detection system.

The system was kickstarted March 2 at three high schools — Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Col. Zadok Magruder and Seneca Valley — as part of a one-month pilot program to determine whether it can bolster student and staff safety.

Montgomery County Public Schools are not fitted with metal detectors and operate in step with a community engagement officer program that serves as a liaison with school clusters. The CEO program has been in place since the 2021-2022 school year, when it replaced the former school resource officer program.

Patch has reached out to MCPS for comment about security measures on school grounds.