CONCEALED WEAPON AT SCHOOL: On Feb. 22 at about 9:30 a.m., a student approached Officer P. Hood at Thomas Stone High School, located at 3785 Leonardtown Road in Waldorf, to report a handgun on school property. The student said another student was in the hallway when a handgun fell from his bookbag. The student saw the other student return the handgun to the bag and then immediately notified the officer, who is the juvenile intervention officer assigned to the school.
The student with the gun was identified as a 16-year-old Waldorf boy. Officer Hood and school officials searched the student and found a BB gun and a starter pistol, which had been attempted to be modified to fire a bullet. Investigation revealed the student intended to exchange the starter pistol for a BB gun another student at the school had in his possession. Officer Hood and school officials identified that student as a 15-year-old Waldorf boy and recovered the second BB gun from him. The guns were not loaded.
Both students were charged as juveniles with carrying concealed weapons on school property. The Charles County State's Attorney's Office is reviewing the case to determine if adult charges are appropriate.
School officials sent a letter home with students explaining the situation.
The Sheriff's Office attributes the swift resolution of this situation to the quick and responsible actions of the student who reported the gun and to the juvenile intervention program, which places a Sheriff's officer inside each high school in Charles County. The officers assigned to the school present several school-based programs, such as DARE and Truth and Consequences, and build a positive relationship with the students, encouraging students to confide in police and make responsible decisions.