2 students found with guns on consecutive days at St. Charles High School

CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Two students were found carrying guns on consecutive days at St. Charles High School in Maryland last week, prompting a criminal investigation and an immediate overhaul of security measures, school and law enforcement officials said.

In the first incident, a 15-year-old student was found with a homemade “ghost gun” tucked into his waistband, according to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.

The following day, officers recovered a handgun from the backpack of another 15-year-old student after it was discovered in the student’s school locker.

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Authorities later searched both students’ homes. In one residence, deputies found six additional guns, including four in the teenager’s bedroom, Sheriff Troy Berry said. In the other home, investigators seized a 3D printer they believe was being used to manufacture gun parts.

“This is very troubling on many levels,” Berry said.

Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Maria Navarro said the incidents prompted immediate action at St. Charles High, with broader changes planned countywide starting next school year.

Navarro outlined the new safety measures during a special town hall meeting at the school. The changes include increased random searches and the expanded use of an artificial intelligence-based gun-detection system that leverages existing school security cameras.

Navarro said the school system will not install traditional metal detectors.

“I will not be seeking traditional metal detectors because we have learned from other schools that have adopted these measures that students just switch to other entry points,” she said.

Jason Stoddard, the school system’s director of safety and security, said the district will pursue any solution that meets practical, legal, and financial standards.

“We’ll do anything that is reasonable, logical, legal, effective, and fiscally responsible to protect our babies,” Stoddard said.

Stoddard, who also serves as chair of the National Council of School Safety Directors, said Charles County was the first school system in Maryland to install the AI-driven detection software. The technology was originally designed to identify intruders — particularly potential shooters entering from outside school buildings.

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Now, officials are examining whether the software can also be effective inside schools.

“We’re trying to see if we can have it roll out on the inside of our schools to see if it does any good as it relates to visible guns,” Stoddard said.

He said the software analyzes multiple factors at once.

“The software is looking for a person, it’s looking for a firearm, and it’s looking for behaviors associated with gun violence,” Stoddard said.

Despite the technological push, Stoddard said research shows that strong relationships between students and staff are often more effective than any security tool.

As a result, the district will also expand safety education and awareness of reporting for students.

“It’s important we reiterate to students what is appropriate in school and when they see things that aren’t appropriate in school that they understand how to report that,” he said.

Both students involved remain under investigation, and school officials said no injuries were reported during either incident.