A seven-year-old second-grader at Freetown Elementary in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, was injured when a firearm in his possession accidentally discharged inside a classroom. The child suffered a non-life-threatening hand injury and was taken to a hospital. Police arrived within six minutes of calls reporting shots fired, and the teacher secured the weapon. The district dismissed students early and is offering support services while investigators determine how the weapon reached the school.
7-Year-Old Injured After Firearm Discharges in Maryland Classroom — Students Dismissed Early
7-year-old injures hand after accidentally discharging firearm in Maryland classroom
A seven-year-old second-grade student at Freetown Elementary School in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, suffered a non-life-threatening hand injury Wednesday after a firearm in his possession accidentally discharged inside a classroom, authorities said.
Incident Details
The Anne Arundel County Police Department said the child was injured when the weapon discharged. WBAL‑TV reported the student was transported to a hospital with a wound described as non-life-threatening.
A child was injured Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, after a firearm accidentally discharged inside a classroom at Freetown Elementary School in Maryland.(Fox News)
Police spokesman Justin Mulcahy told reporters that officers received calls reporting shots fired around 8:30 a.m. and arrived at the school within six minutes. School staff on the scene, including the classroom teacher, secured the firearm and attended to the injured child until officers arrived.
"A student had a firearm in his possession, a second-grade student, in a classroom. That firearm discharged at a certain point," Mulcahy said, as investigators work to determine how the weapon came to be at the school.
Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal Awad expressed shock and concern about how a young child obtained the weapon. "We should not be having this press conference with you right now. How did a 7-year-old baby get ahold of a firearm and make it all the way to school?" she told WBAL‑TV.
A child was injured Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, after a firearm accidentally discharged inside a classroom at Freetown Elementary School in Maryland.
School Response
Anne Arundel County Public Schools announced it would dismiss all students at 11:15 a.m. that day. Bus riders were transported home via normal routes, and parents were asked to contact the school if alternate pickup arrangements were necessary. The district said it is working closely with police and providing support services to affected students, staff and families.
"There's a lot of trauma," Superintendent Mark Bedell told the local station, explaining the decision for an early dismissal. "Not only within the students who were in this building, but also the faculty and staff."
The district said Freetown Elementary is expected to reopen on Thursday as scheduled. Investigators continue to probe how the child gained access to the firearm and whether additional actions or charges will follow.
What Officials Say
Officials emphasized the rarity and seriousness of the incident and urged parents and guardians to store firearms securely. Authorities continue their investigation and said they will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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