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A startling incident unfolded at Freetown Elementary School in Maryland on Wednesday, when a firearm accidentally discharged inside a classroom, resulting in an injury to a 7-year-old student, according to local authorities.
The unfortunate event occurred when the second-grade student, who had brought the firearm to school, sustained a hand injury as the gun went off. Thankfully, no other students in the classroom were harmed.
In response to the incident, the Anne Arundel County Public Schools have announced on their social media platform, X, that they are actively collaborating with the police to address the situation. Additionally, they are offering support services to students to help them cope with the distressing experience.
This unsettling episode has raised significant concerns among the community about school safety and the measures in place to prevent such occurrences. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the well-being of all students and preventing similar incidents in the future.
A child was injured Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, after a firearm accidentally discharged inside a classroom at Freetown Elementary School in Maryland. (Freetown Elementary )
“The school will dismiss all students at 11:15 a.m. today. Bus riders will be transported home via the normal routes. If you need to make alternate arrangements for your student, please call the school. We will provide additional information as we get it,” the district said Wednesday.
WBAL-TV 11 reported the student sustained a non-life-threatening injury and was taken to the hospital.
“A student had a firearm in his possession, a second-grade student, in a classroom. That firearm discharged at a certain point,” Anne Arundel County police spokesman Justin Mulcahy told the outlet.
A child was injured Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, after a firearm accidentally discharged inside a classroom at Freetown Elementary School in Maryland. (iStock)
Mulcahy said officers received calls around 8:30 a.m of shots fired and were able to arrive at the school within six minutes.
Police said the teacher acted immediately to secure the firearm and assist the injured child.
“A 7-year-old child gained access to a firearm, discharged it in a school, a classroom filled with children. We should not be having this press conference with you right now,” Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal Awad told WBAL-TV 11. “How did a 7-year-old baby get ahold of a firearm and make it all the way to school?”
Anne Arundel County Public Schools Superintendent Mark Bedell told the local station that the decision to dismiss students early was made because “there’s a lot of trauma.”
“Not only within the students who were in this building, but also the faculty and staff,” Bedell said. “I can assure you that my reaction would have been exactly what these parents were reacting, filled with a boatload of fear.”
The school official said Freetown Elementary would be open on Thursday as scheduled.