FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — A middle school student is in custody for bringing a gun to school Tuesday morning, police said.
The Prince George's County Police Department said that a student at Isaac J. Gourdine Middle School in Fort Washington, Maryland, was arrested. The school was briefly placed on lockdown as a precaution, police said.
Police said that a 13-year-old student apparently showed the weapon - a non-serialized ghost gun - to other students Tuesday morning and one of the students reported it.
Police arrived at the school around 8:15 a.m. and found the gun in the student's waistband. No one was injured.
It’s not the first time a ghost gun has been seized on Maryland school property and it is an issue Prince George’s County At-Large Councilmember Mel Franklin plans to address.
“I think our oversight committee is going to have to look at it," Franklin said. "I think our police chief is going to need to address it, obviously, our school system is trying to address it. All of those things need to come together to really come up with what our game plan is going to be."
The teen is charged with multiple counts, including loaded handgun on person and dangerous weapon on school property.
"It’s very troubling because of how undetectable these ghost guns are and how easy it appears to be that they can be made," Franklin said. “The student who let authorities know about this ghost gun situation, he’s a hero. That student probably prevented a school shooting and could have saved many lives. That’s why we really have to encourage our young people if they see something, they need to say something. Lives could depend on it.”
The school sent a letter to parents and guardians urging them to talk about school safety tips with the students.
"Please assist in our efforts to maintain a safe learning environment by discussing with your child acceptable behaviors that support a positive school climate," the letter reads. "Discuss with your child the consequences, such as expulsion, for bringing weapons or anything that resembles a weapon to school. Please encourage your child to always immediately report the sighting of any weapon or suspicious objects on school grounds to a staff member or trusted adult."
Tuesday was the last full day of school for students at Prince George's County Public Schools.
The investigation for this incident is ongoing, police say.