USA: 16-Year-Old Student Fatally Shoots Classmate at Maryland High School

A tragic incident unfolded at Joppatowne High School in Maryland on Friday, where a 16-year-old student fatally shot his 15-year-old classmate, Warren Curtis Grant, just days after a deadly school shooting in Georgia claimed four lives.

Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler, in a press conference, confirmed that the teenage suspect fired a single shot in a men’s bathroom, striking Warren. Other students quickly removed Warren from the scene, and he received immediate care from school nurses and the principal. Despite efforts to save him, Warren passed away later that day at a trauma center.

The suspected shooter, whose identity has been withheld due to his age and pending charges, was arrested by authorities. However, the firearm used in the incident has yet to be recovered, Gahler said.

Joppatowne High School principal Melissa Williams expressed her condolences, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Warren’s family, his friends, our staff, and all our students. Joppatowne is a strong, loving community, and we will rally together to support one another during this difficult time.”

Authorities revealed that the 16-year-old suspect had a history of involvement with the police, having been linked to 10 different incidents since 2022, either as a victim, witness, or suspect. Notably, it was his first day attending school this academic year, even though the school year was already four days in.

Gahler highlighted frustration with the state’s laws, which had prevented officers from questioning the suspect due to what he referred to as a “criminal-friendly legislature.” However, he emphasized that the evidence against the teen was “overwhelming” and that formal charges would likely be filed by Saturday.

This shooting in Maryland occurred just two days after a deadly attack at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, where a 14-year-old student, armed with an AR-style weapon, killed two teachers and two students. The teen, who now faces multiple felony murder charges, was apprehended, and his father has also been charged in connection with the crime.

Reflecting on the recent events, Sheriff Gahler remarked, “We’re all too familiar with the heartbreaking shooting that took four lives in Georgia just a couple of days ago, and now we face another school tragedy here in Harford County.”