WALDORF, Md. — A 17-year-old student at Westlake High School was arrested on April 24, 2025, after administrators found a loaded 9mm “ghost gun” and drugs in their backpack, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office reported. The incident, which unfolded at 7:30 a.m., underscored ongoing safety challenges within Charles County Public Schools (CCPS).
Administrators noticed a strong cannabis odor on the student, who became combative and attempted to flee with their backpack. A school resource officer detained the student despite resistance. A search of the backpack uncovered a privately made 9mm handgun without a serial number, cannabis, THC gummies, THC resin jars, unused packaging materials, and a weighing scale. The student, whose name is withheld due to their age, faces adult charges, including carrying a loaded handgun, possession with intent to distribute drugs, and possession of a firearm without a serial number. They are detained at the Charles County Detention Center awaiting a court appearance.
Superintendent Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., addressed the CCPS community on April 24, emphasizing the incident’s severity. “In recent weeks, CCPS has experienced two serious incidents involving guns in our schools,” Navarro wrote in a letter to parents, staff, and students. “While such incidents are rare in CCPS, a student bringing any weapon to school poses an immediate safety risk to both the student involved and the entire school community.” She expressed relief that no injuries occurred and urged students to report concerns via the “See Something, Say Something” campaign.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and seeks public input. Contact Officer Joffe at 301-609-3282 ext. 0608, or submit anonymous tips through Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS, online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com, or via the P3Intel mobile app.
This marks the second recent weapons-related incident in CCPS, prompting enhanced safety measures. Navarro announced a Board of Education work session on April 28, 2025, at St. Charles High School in Waldorf to review school climate data and safety initiatives. The 4:30 p.m. session will stream live at www.ccboe.com. A virtual Town Hall on school safety is set for May 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
Navarro urged collective action. “Students: If you see something, please say something and do something,” she wrote. “Staff: Thank you for your vigilance.” She encouraged parents to monitor children’s belongings and social media and secure firearms. Safety campaign resources are available at www.ccboe.com.
Nationwide, school firearm incidents are rare but concerning, per a 2023 National Center for Education Statistics report. Maryland law prohibits minors from possessing firearms, and “ghost guns” pose challenges due to their untraceable nature, according to a 2022 Maryland Attorney General’s report. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office has bolstered school patrols, as noted on their website www.ccso.us.
With 35 days left in the 2024-2025 school year, Navarro stressed community commitment to student safety. “Our CCPS community is incredibly committed to engaging and supporting our students – our future,” she wrote, calling for continued vigilance to ensure a safe school year.