A 15-year-old student in Maryland has died after being reportedly killed by a fellow student in their high school bathroom, authorities say.
Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler stated at a news conference that the event occurred on Friday, September 6, at Joppatowne High School in Joppa, Maryland.
“The shooting occurred in the first-floor men’s bathroom. Gahler stated that after the initial shooting, the suspect left the bathroom and then fled the campus. “Other individuals in the school brought the victim out into the hallway, where nurses immediately attended to him as part of the public school system.”
“Within the first two minutes, we had our first response deputy on the scene,” according to Gahler. “Within 15 minutes, more than 100 police officers from all of our local partner agencies were here.” The 15-year-old was taken to a trauma hospital while in “serious condition.” The suspect, a 16-year-old student who is thought to have fired a “single shot,” was “apprehended within minutes” of escaping “a short distance away.”
Gahler stated that it was the suspect’s first day at school, although the district is “four days into its school year.”
He stated that officials are “not allowed to talk” to the suspect but have “sufficient information that he will be charged in association with the shooting without the need to be interviewed.”
“There is overwhelming evidence if you will. But, again, the investigation is ongoing,” he stated.
The Harford County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged in a post on X that the gunshot was an “isolated incident.”
“Please be advised that this is an isolated occurrence and not an active shooter. Avoid this place. Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church serves as the reunification location for parents to pick up their students, according to the post.
Gahler announced at a second press conference later on Friday that the 15-year-old, Warren Curtis Grant, had died.
“The family was just notified within the last half hour at the hospital,” according to him. Gahler said that the suspect “has yet to be charged but will be charged.” The suspect’s name has not been made public yet.
Warren’s death was also verified by Harford County Public Schools in a statement posted on their website.
“It is with great sadness that we share that the victim of the shooting did not survive,” according to the statement. “At a media briefing that has just concluded, Sheriff Gahler identified the victim as Warren Grant, a 15-year-old student at Joppatowne High School.”
“Again, we ask you to join us in keeping Warren’s family, friends, and the students and staff at JOHS in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time,” according to the statement. “We will have additional supports in place for students as we process this tragedy as a school community.”