Maryland Student Fatally Shoots Classmate amid Ongoing National School Violence
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A 16-year-old student fatally shot a fellow classmate at a Maryland high school on Friday, just two days after a deadly school shooting in Georgia left four dead.
A 16-year-old student shot and killed 15-year-old Warren Curtis Grant at Joppatowne High School in Maryland on Friday, authorities confirmed to USA Today.
Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler stated at a news conference that the shooting took place in the men's bathroom, where the suspect fired a single shot at Grant.
Other students quickly removed Grant from the bathroom, and school nurses, along with the principal, provided initial medical care.
Grant was transported to a trauma center, where he later died.
The suspect was arrested, but his identity has not been released as he has yet to be formally charged.
Authorities have not yet recovered the firearm used in the incident, Gahler noted.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this amazing young man, with his friends, with all of our staff members, with all of our students," said Joppatowne High School principal Melissa Williams. "Joppatowne is a loving and strong community that will rally around our families."
The suspect had a history of 10 previous incidents where he had been involved as either a victim, witness, or suspect since 2022, according to Gahler.
"This was his first day attending school this year, though we were already four days into the academic year," Gahler said.
Due to state laws, officers have not been able to interview the suspect. However, Gahler confirmed that authorities have enough "overwhelming evidence" to proceed with charges, which are expected to be filed by early Saturday.
The Maryland shooting comes just two days after a separate shooting in Georgia, where a 14-year-old armed with an "AR-platform style weapon" opened fire at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, killing two students and two teachers.
The suspect in that case faces four counts of felony murder, with additional charges expected, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. His father was also charged in connection with the incident.
"We're all familiar with the tragic shooting that took four lives in Georgia just a couple days ago, and here we stand in Harford County with another school shooting," Gahler remarked.