Police: Student Charged With Brandishing Airsoft Gun at Godwin Middle School

Police charged a Godwin Middle School student with brandishing a weapon on school property and possession of a firearm or other weapon on school property after one of the suspect's friends was reportedly struck in the leg with an Airsoft pellet on April 11, Prince William County Police spokesperson Jonathan Perok said. 

The Woodbridge male teen was charged that same day. Police initially responded to the middle school on April 11 at 3:56 p.m. for the report of a person brandishing a gun on school property. 

"Multiple police units responded quickly to the school and secured a perimeter. Once on scene, officers learned that the suspect was a student of the school and was detained in the principal’s office," Perok said. "Officers further learned that the weapon was an air-soft gun and not a real firearm. The investigation revealed that the student had brought the air-soft gun onto school grounds and was outside of the building with a group of friends."

One of the pellets reportedly hit the suspect's friend in the leg, leaving a mark.

"A school staff member witnessed this encounter and, believing the weapon was real, alerted additional school staff leading to a lockdown of the building and police response," Perok said. "The student was quickly identified by school staff and the situation was quickly deescalated."

The incident was not preceded by any threats from the suspect, and police do not believe it to be a malicious attack.