In a frightening turn of events at Freetown Elementary School, a 7-year-old student accidentally discharged a loaded firearm within a classroom. The Pasadena man tied to this serious incident, Eashan John Stefanski, 34, was charged with leaving the gun accessible to a minor, as reported by FOX Baltimore. The child sustained non-life-threatening injuries to his hand when the weapon, a Glock 27 handgun, went off at approximately 8:25 a.m. on the morning of Feb. 4.
According to details provided by FOX Baltimore, Stefanski, who has been suspended from his recruiting duties with the U.S. Army Baltimore Recruiting Battalion, is the boyfriend of the boy's mother and was found to store multiple firearms in the home. Despite claiming to secure the weapons with gun locks, the charging documents revealed that the firearms were not adequately safeguarded, allowing the child to bring one to school. As taught by the teacher, who promptly secured the weapon and administered aid, the teacher managed to prevent further harm to other students in the classroom.
"How did a 7-year-old baby get ahold of a firearm and make it all the way to school?" said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal Awad in a statement obtained by WBAL-TV 11 News. The distress is echoed by parents and community members alike. After the incident, which left other students unharmed, the school opted for an early dismissal, with a spokesperson confirming the provision of additional student support services.
Parents expressed their concern, with one father, Derrick Cephas, saying, "As a parent, I'm emotional. I don't know how this incident happened. I don't know what lack of supervision led to an incident like this," in an interview with WBAL-TV 11 News. Anne Arundel County Crisis Response has made resources available to those affected, urging anyone in need to reach out to their Warm Line for support.
The incident remains under active investigation by authorities. The Anne Arundel County Police are urging anyone with information to come forward and contribute to the ongoing investigation.
