The parents of a third-grade student who brought a loaded handgun to Lee Hill Elementary School have been arrested and charged following a classroom incident that resulted in the weapon discharging inside a backpack.
According to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Ciara Armstead, 36, and Terrence Carroll, Jr., 34, were each charged on Monday, April 7, with two offenses: one misdemeanor count of recklessly leaving a loaded, unsecured firearm in a manner that endangered a child under the age of 14, and one felony count of willfully or negligently endangering a child while having custody. Both were released on a $5,000 unsecured bond and are scheduled to appear in Spotsylvania County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on April 11.
The charges stem from an April 7 incident, when a student brought a handgun to school in a backpack. At about 10:50 a.m., the firearm discharged inside the bag while the child was reaching in to retrieve something. The sheriff’s office confirmed that the shot was accidental and that no one was physically injured.
Upon hearing the discharge, the classroom teacher immediately evacuated all 26 students and alerted the on-site School Resource Officer. The child’s parents have since cooperated fully with investigators.
Officials say the child found the unsecured firearm at home before bringing it to school. After reviewing the case, both the Spotsylvania County Juvenile Intake Office and the Commonwealth’s Attorney determined the child would not face charges.
The investigation is ongoing, and the sheriff’s office has committed to sharing additional updates as more information becomes available.
Read our original report: Gun discharges in 3rd grade classroom at Lee Hill Elementary School; no injuries reported.
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