Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., urged parents, students, staff and community members to address the easy access young people have to firearms following two separate gun incidents at St. Charles High School this week.
Navarro issued the statement Thursday after back-to-back events at the Waldorf high school. On April 29, school officials and a resource officer recovered a loaded ghost gun from a 15-year-old student. The next day, April 30, another 15-year-old was found with a loaded polymer handgun modified with a machine-gun conversion switch in a locker.
The superintendent said she was visiting the school when the second incident occurred and praised staff and students for their quick actions that kept everyone safe. She ordered a full sweep of the building with assistance from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit. No additional weapons were located, leading to early dismissal for students that day.
“Guns do not originate in schools; they come into schools from homes and from the community,” Navarro wrote. She noted that firearms are accessible to young people through purchases, theft or even assembly from mail-order kits and 3D printers.
Navarro referenced a parent update sent two weeks earlier and emphasized ongoing school efforts to promote good decision-making and the “See Something, Say Something” program. She stressed that schools cannot solve the issue alone and issued several direct requests to families, elected officials, public safety partners and the broader community.
Parents and guardians should check their children’s rooms, purchases and social media use while continuing conversations about safe choices, she said. Navarro called for greater education from public safety partners on how children access guns and what to do if access is suspected. She suggested expanding programs like the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Hope Trailer — which educates on drugs — to include firearm awareness for families.
Additional asks included restoring Crime Solvers tip boxes in schools for anonymous reporting of safety concerns, increased adult accountability when guns reach minors, and more male mentors for students. Navarro highlighted successful programs at Westlake High School and the DADvisory initiative in Title I schools as models to replicate across middle and high schools.
The Charles County Public Schools Strategic Plan commits to engaging students and families on high-risk behaviors, providing mental health support, addressing bullying and teaching safe decision-making, according to Navarro.
She announced plans to attend a community meeting next week at St. Charles High School and will provide updates afterward. Navarro pledged continued collaboration with staff, parents, students, elected officials and public safety partners to maintain safe learning environments.
The incidents come amid broader national concerns about youth access to firearms. In the April 29 case, the 15-year-old attempted to flee during the search but was apprehended. He faced charges including possession of a dangerous weapon on school property and minor in possession of a firearm. A THC vape was also recovered.
On April 30, a student acting suspiciously led an administrator to search a locker, where the modified handgun with a 30-round magazine was found. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office conducted a thorough sweep with K-9 teams and other agencies. Both juveniles were taken into custody and referred to the Department of Juvenile Services.
Authorities continue investigating how the firearms were obtained. The sheriff’s office encourages tips through Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS, online or via the P3Intel app.
Navarro expressed outrage at the occurrences while thanking those involved in keeping the school community safe. She reaffirmed the district’s commitment to student and staff well-being across all Charles County Public Schools facilities.
