Police say student injured by unintentional gunfire at Anniston High School
ANNISTON, Ala. (WBRC) - A student was injured after a gun went off in Anniston High School on Wednesday afternoon, March 22.
Anniston police say one student was grazed and has a superficial wound. It appears to be a negligent discharge by another student, according to police.
An Anniston School Resource Officer was alerted to a bomb threat at Anniston High School around 12:45 p.m.
Officers say they responded and cleared the school of an explosive threat. Police say a firearm was discharged as students re-entered the school, and a projectile grazed a student.
A sophomore at Anniston High School captured the sound of the gunshot on video while inside the school. Jaquan Williams said at one point, he even thought he was hit by a bullet.
Williams said after the bomb threat, students waited outside for around two hours before police gave the all-clear allowing students to go back inside.
Williams said he was headed to get some water when everyone started running in the halls and he started recording on his phone, calling the situation extremely scary.
Sgt. Jason Hawkins with Anniston PD said the gun discharged from inside a backpack, adding they believe a student reached in to make sure the gun was there and pulled the trigger. He added the bullet hit the tile floor, causing the bullet to fragment.
Police say the 18-year-old victim’s injuries are not life threatening.
Anniston City Schools Superintendent Dr. D. Ray Hill says the student who was injured received medical attention and is back home with his parents.
The injury is not life-threatening, and there are no active threats to the community, according to police.
Dr. Hill is asking people to share anything that could help with the investigation.
“Please share those videos -- anything, anything that you may have just the slightest little thing can help us as always,” said Dr. Hill. “Also, we will have counselors on campus on the Monday they return for any students that may need that opportunity to talk.”
Dr. Hill says the high school will be closed on Thursday and Friday is an E-learning day. The following week is spring break, and students will return Monday, April 3.
Police are still investigating this incident and right now no charges have been filed.
Anniston High School posted the following on their Facebook page:
Authorities continue to investigate.
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