A 13-year-old student from Franklin Middle School in Baltimore County was arrested after a search revealed the student had an unloaded handgun. The incident occurred on the second day of the new school year. According to FOX Baltimore, the arrest followed a report to the School Resource Officer that the student had marijuana.
Principal Brian Schiffer informed the school community about the incident, outlining the seriousness of weapons on school property: "Possession of weapons on school property is a serious offense, and the student was arrested without incident and taken to a local precinct," reported FOX Baltimore. The principal also urged parents and students to share responsibility for maintaining a safe school environment by reporting any suspicious activities or threats.
While the occurrence at Franklin Middle School is isolated, it mirrors the challenge the broader Baltimore area faces with rising juvenile crime. According to CBS News Baltimore, juvenile crime arrests in Baltimore went up by 146% between 2023 and 2024. There have been other recent incidents involving minors in criminal activity, including a 13-year-old arrested for a series of carjackings and two other minors apprehended for setting fire to a school playground.
This incident will likely add to the ongoing conversation about juvenile crime and appropriate consequences in Baltimore County and the state of Maryland. As further details become available, the story will be updated.
