16-Year-Old Killed Fellow Student One Day After Enrolling In High School

Witness Statements Provided Details Of Horrific Shooting

A student at Great Mills High School in Maryland was shot and killed on his first day of school by a 16-year-old fellow classmate, authorities said Tuesday.

The shooting occurred in a hallway of the school in St. Mary’s County around 7:50 a.m. Tuesday, Sheriff Tim Cameron said at a news conference. Officials stated that the school was immediately placed on lockdown, and students were evacuated.

The deceased, who was not immediately identified by authorities, was reportedly a male student. The suspect was taken into custody at the scene and the gun used in the shooting was recovered, Cameron said.

Cameron said that the shooting happened after a fight between the two students. He declined to comment on a possible motive, but said investigators do not believe it was a random act. He said both students were 16 years old, and both were students at the school. He did not identify either student, citing their ages and the ongoing investigation.

Cameron did not release the names of the students involved, but said they were both 16-year-old males. He said the suspect has been charged with murder.

Cameron said the school was placed on lockdown after the shooting, but the lockdown was lifted after the suspect was taken into custody. He said the school will be closed for the rest of the day and will reopen Wednesday.

The sheriff said the investigation is ongoing and that no further information would be released at this time.

School Officials Express Sorrow, Promise Support

In a statement, the St. Mary’s County Public Schools system expressed sorrow over the shooting and said it is providing support to students and staff.

“Our hearts are broken over the tragic loss of one of our students,” the statement said. “We are committed to providing support to our students and staff during this difficult time.”

The school system said it has counselors and other support staff available to help students and staff cope with the tragedy.

Community In Shock, Mourning

The shooting has shocked and saddened the community of Great Mills, a small town in Southern Maryland. Residents said they are struggling to understand how such a tragedy could happen in their quiet town.

“This is a terrible tragedy,” said one resident, who did not want to be identified. “I can’t believe something like this would happen here.”

Another resident, who also declined to be identified, said she is worried about the safety of her children.

“I don’t know what to say,” she said. “I just hope that something like this never happens again.”