Police Say Student Brought Weapons to Central Middle

A 12-year-old boy brought a loaded BB gun to Central Middle school on Thursday and threatened another student, according to Anne Arundel County police.

According to a letter posted for parents from Central Middle Principal Mildred Beall, shortly after noon on Thursday two students told administrators they saw another student with what they believed to be a gun. School officials located the student and found a loaded BB gun and an unloaded airsoft pistol in his backpack, according to the letter.

As the investigation progressed, officials contacted South River High’s student resource officer who arrived and took possession of the weapons. Beall’s letter also said the student threatened at least two students and warned them not to tell anyone he had a gun.

The Anne Arundel County Police Department said officers transported the boy to the Southern District Police Station and charged him with a juvenile citation of disorderly conduct and threatening a student on school property.

Following the incident, Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) posted Beall’s letter on the school’s website and called parents, notifying them of the incident. The timing of the investigation made it impossible for administrators to send the message home with children before school concluded, Beall said in her letter. 

“I want to commend the students who had the courage to come forward with this information. Their actions may have well have saved fellow students from injury,” Beall said in the letter.

AACPS spokesman Bob Mosier also commended the two students who notified administrators of what they saw.

“In this case, we have two students who were very courageous,” Mosier said. “While it’s regrettable that these situations occur, it’s reassuring when the necessary collaboration takes place that prevents potential injury.”

Thursday’s incident comes a few weeks after a Southern High student brought weapons to school.