UPPER MARLBORO, MD — A loaded firearm was recovered at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Prince George’s County on Thursday afternoon, prompting a police investigation and pending criminal charges against two students.
According to the Prince George’s County Police Department, school security personnel observed a 17-year-old male student hand a black bookbag to a 16-year-old male student at approximately 1:55 p.m. The exchange raised suspicion because the school mandates the use of clear bookbags.
Upon inspection of the black bookbag, security staff discovered a loaded gun inside. Both students fled the school campus immediately after the bag was searched. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The students involved, both in the 10th grade, are now facing criminal charges. Officers are currently obtaining arrest warrants, and both teenagers will be charged as adults, police said.
Security protocols under scrutiny after gun discovery
Authorities have not released the names of the students due to their age, but confirmed their identities are known and the investigation is ongoing. It is unclear how the firearm entered the school or how long the students had it in their possession.
Prince George’s County Police continue to work in coordination with school officials to ensure the safety of students and staff. The department did not specify the type of firearm recovered.
The school has not released a statement regarding the incident, and no lockdown was reported at the time of the discovery. Additional officers were assigned to the school for the remainder of the day as a precaution.
Two students are now facing adult charges after a loaded gun was found in a prohibited bookbag at a Prince George’s County high school.
