A 16-year-old student from Hylton High School has been charged with possession of a firearm on school property. He has not been identified because of his age but he has been charged as a juvenile.

There were some tense moments yesterday after the school was placed on lockdown until police could assess what happened in a classroom at the school.

The student reportedly was showing the loaded weapon to a small group while in art class. The weapon went off striking the ceiling tiles. The teacher who was unclear of what the sound was asked him about it. The student said it was a balloon. The teacher called a resource officer and a probe into the sound began.

It was not until some 2 hours later when Prince William County Police were called to the school just before 5 did they locate the gun. It was found hidden in a nearby classroom. The student suffered a minor injury when the gun went off. He was treated for that.

There’s no word on his first court date. As a precaution and to help ease some of the concern for students and parents there will be a noticeable police presence today.

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