HOUSTON – A student accidentally fired a gun Monday at a Spring Branch ISD high school in northwest Houston, officials said.
Spring Branch ISD police said the 15-year-old student took a .380 Ruger handgun out of his backpack to show students at Spring Woods High School, 2045 Gessner, and he accidentally fired it around 11 a.m. A teacher and 25 students were in the class at the time.
The bullet went through the classroom door and landed in a brick wall. No one was hit.
Spring Branch ISD police took the freshman into custody. He faces a charge of possession of a handgun on school property. District officials said the student also faces expulsion. His name was not released.
Students who were in the classroom where the gun was fired were offered counseling. A letter about the incident was sent home to parents.
"Of course, the students in the classroom were shaken. We had a couple that needed counseling, and the school district sent counselors there immediately," said Spring Branch ISD Police Chief Chuck Browner.
"I was walking by the class and heard a gunshot and ducked. I was really scared," student Robert Rivas said. "It's really pointless. Why would you bring a gun to school?"
"I was scared. They didn't lock down the school. My friend was next door and heard the shooting," another student said.
"The cops came and got him out of the class. Everybody was screaming," another student said.
Officials did not release where the student got the gun.