STUDENT ARRESTED WITH UNLOADED GUN AT HAMMOND HIGH SCHOOL IN COLUMBIA

You just don't know the circumstances are. The sooner you tell police or administrators, the better. See something, say something. That aged old advice was what led to the arrest of a 15-year-old at Hammond High School Thursday. Police say a school resource officer found an unloaded handgun in his backpack Thursday morning. That's because the day prior on the bus, another student saw the Columbia teen with the gun. The witness then told administrators Thursday who then took quick action. He didn't have any ammunition on him and we're not aware of any threats. Of course, bringing a gun onto school property is very concerning. So we're thankful that the student who did see it said something to administrators exactly what the student should have done. And so once the gun has been recovered, we go to the Maryland Center and the investigation kind of goes into where did this gun come from? Is it stolen? Uh, you know, who who owns it? Students and parents who did not wish to speak on camera told me they were shocked and somewhat concerned by this. In an email from the Howard County Public School system, communications director Brian Bassett wrote, "School safety is our utmost priority, and the members of the administrative team and security staff will continue to be vigilant in maintaining the safety of Hammond High School. Please know that we take all reports of threats seriously and will continue to work cooperatively with public safety and other agencies." The email goes on to ask any community members to alert him directly of any potential threats they hear and students are encouraged to access student services or ask any staff member if they have continuing concerns.