Shooting at school in Maryland: 15-year-old killed, teenager arrested

A 16-year-old student allegedly shot a 15-year-old boy during an altercation in the boys' restroom at Joppatowne High School in Joppa, Maryland, on Friday, according to Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler. The suspect was arrested.

The victim, identified as Warren Curtis Grant, was quickly cared for by classmates, school nurses and the principal after being taken out of the restroom, Gahler told reporters at a news conference.

Gahler said the student was flown by helicopter to a trauma center, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.

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The suspect, a new student experiencing his first day at Joppatowne High School even though the school year is only four days old, fled the scene immediately after the incident, Gahler said. He was arrested shortly afterward with the help of community members at nearby residences.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this amazing young man, with his friends, with all of our staff, with all of our students,” Melissa Williams, principal of Joppatowne High School, said at the conference, as quoted by USA Today. “Joppatowne is a loving and strong community that will no doubt support our families.”

Only one shot was fired during the incident; the firearm has not yet been found.

In response to the shooting, more than 100 police officers were dispatched to the scene; the first officers arrived within two minutes.

The motives behind the altercation remain unclear, but authorities pointed out that the suspect had previously come into contact with the police.

Gahler said the state's laws, which he described as “crime-friendly,” prevented officers from interviewing the suspect. But now there is enough “overwhelming evidence” to bring charges, he said.

Gahler said he has “handled more than ten incidents since 2022 in which this suspect was either a victim, witness or suspect.”

Charges are expected to be filed against the teenager by Saturday morning.

Sean Bulson, superintendent of Harford County Public Schools, expressed his dismay at the incident and said he was determined to prevent future occurrences.

“We are just devastated to be part of this horrific group of schools that experienced something like this. And we will do everything we can and work with this community to make sure that absolutely nothing like this happens again,” Bulson was quoted as saying by ABC News.

The incident occurred days after another school shooting in Georgia, where a 14-year-old armed with an AR-style weapon shot and killed two teachers and two students at Apalachee High School in Barrow County.

Colin Gray, the father of 14-year-old Colt Gray, was arrested and charged in connection with his son's actions. Authorities said he knowingly allowed his son to possess a gun that he had given his son as a gift in December 2023.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the victims as 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and his colleague Christina Irimie, 53.