Randallstown High student arrested after gun found in backpack, latest in rash of weapons violations in Baltimore County Schools
RANDALLSTOWN, Md. -- A loaded gun was found Thursday at Randallstown High School in the backpack of a student, Baltimore County Police said. The 16-year-old was arrested without incident.
According to a letter to parents, school administrators and a safety assistant observed a student behaving suspiciously in the hallway and called a school resource officer. The officer conducted a search and discovered the handgun.
It's the latest in a string of weapons-related incidents in Baltimore County Schools.
"For the students to keep coming to school with guns, there needs to be more safety measures, I don't know if that means we need more officers in school, but I don't think the kids feel safe," said mother Shannon. She believes these weapons show children don't handle their emotions and resort to violence.
Shannon is considering doing what other parents now do: taking their children out of the classroom.
"I have friends who keep their kids virtual just for reasons such as this, they keep their kids virtual because it just doesn't seem safe," she said.
An incident Tuesday at Chesapeake High School involved a ghost gun, multiple sources tell WJZ. The gun was found in a backpack, according to a letter to parents from the principal. Police have arrested two teenagers, a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old.
While another incident at Perry Hall Middle School on the same day involved Orbeez 'splat guns,' which are part of a TikTok trend.
The Perry Hall Middle School students were shooting Orbeez toy guns on a bus after dismissal from school, according to a letter to parents by Principal Lisa Perry. The bus driver said he was struck by a pellet, according to police.
The spokesperson for Baltimore County Public Schools told WJZ that the peaceful manner in which the guns were confiscated and the students were apprehended is proof their school safety plan is working.