DC teen arrested after modified machine pistol found in charter school
WASHINGTON, DC – A 19-year-old was arrested after a firearm modified into a machine pistol was discovered at a Northwest charter school earlier this week, police said Friday.
The incident began around 1:01 p.m. Wednesday, when a staff member at the school in the 1700 block of G Street NW noticed a student in possession of a handgun. The staff member secured the weapon before the suspect fled the building, according to investigators.
Detectives later confirmed the firearm had been outfitted with an auto-sear switch, a device that converts a standard semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic weapon.
On Thursday, with help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), police arrested 19-year-old James Brewer of Southeast DC. Brewer faces multiple charges, including Carrying a Pistol Without a License, Possession of a Machine Gun, Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device, and Possession of Unregistered Ammunition.
Authorities emphasized the role of ATF’s Washington Field Division in assisting with the investigation and praised the quick actions of the school staff in securing the firearm before officers arrived.
Ad: Save every day with Amazon Deals: Check out today's daily deals on Amazon.
—
Key Points
- Staff at a Northwest DC charter school found a student with a firearm Wednesday afternoon
- The weapon was modified with an auto-sear switch, converting it into a machine pistol
- 19-year-old James Brewer of Southeast DC was arrested and faces multiple weapons charges