WHITE PLAINS, Md., May 15, 2025 — Phillip McRay Bright, 68, of Crestview, Florida, faces charges in connection with a firearm discharge incident at Billingsley Elementary School on April 10, when a 9-year-old student accidentally fired a loaded handgun in a classroom. No injuries were reported. Bright, a relative of the student, was charged on May 9 via criminal information by the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office with two counts of wearing, carrying, or transporting a loaded handgun in a vehicle; storing a loaded firearm in a location accessible to a minor; and contributing to the conditions of a child’s delinquency. He was issued a court summons, and no mugshot is available.
The incident occurred at 10:24 a.m. when the student, reaching for a paper in their backpack, inadvertently discharged a .357-caliber revolver while the bag was on their lap. A nearby school resource officer and the classroom teacher swiftly secured the weapon, ensuring no further risk. The bullet fired toward the ground, and no students or staff were harmed. Charles County Public Schools dismissed the school early at noon and closed it the following day, offering counseling services to students, staff, and families. The student told authorities they had no intent to harm anyone, and the investigation confirmed the firearm was brought from home.
Bright was visiting the student’s family in Charles County before the incident. The school resource officer’s investigation revealed that, sometime before April 5, Bright was preparing to drive the student to school. Bright believes the student, who entered the vehicle first, opened the center console looking for candy, found the loaded handgun, and placed it in their backpack. Bright did not notice the gun was missing until April 5, when he reported it lost or stolen to the Prince George’s County Police after leaving a carwash in Hillcrest Heights. It was only after the April 10 incident that authorities learned the student had possessed the gun since taking it.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office completed its investigation by April 22, forwarding the case to the State’s Attorney’s Office for review. The charges against Bright, filed in the Circuit Court for Charles County, stem from his alleged failure to secure the firearm, allowing the minor access, and his transportation of a loaded handgun in a vehicle on or around April 7. The delinquency charge relates to the student’s actions enabled by Bright’s negligence.
Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Maria Navarro praised the rapid response of Principal Sabrina Robinson-Taylor, her staff, and the school resource officer. “I am deeply grateful that no students or staff members were injured,” Navarro said in a statement to parents. She emphasized collaboration with law enforcement and a commitment to supporting the Billingsley community, announcing a community meeting post-spring break to address concerns.
The incident sparked significant community concern. Charles County Commissioner Gilbert “BJ” Bowling expressed alarm, stating, “The safety and security of our students is of utmost importance. I am deeply troubled by the incident that occurred today at Billingsley Elementary School, where a firearm was inadvertently discharged from a student’s backpack. The safety and education of our students is not a political issue, but rather a community concern.” Bowling urged collective efforts to prioritize student safety, expressing confidence in the Sheriff’s Office to resolve the matter.
This was the second such incident in the D.C. region within a week. On April 8, a third-grader in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, accidentally fired a gun in class, also without injuries. These events have heightened regional focus on firearm security and child access prevention.
Bright’s charges highlight Maryland’s stringent laws on firearm storage and transportation. The case underscores the risks of unsecured weapons, particularly in households with children. As the legal process unfolds, the Billingsley community remains focused on healing and reinforcing safety measures to protect students and staff.
