More details have been released regarding an 8-year-old child who was found with a loaded handgun in his backpack after school in the Child Protective Services office at 4850 Mark Center Drive earlier this year.
On Monday, March 2, the child was found sitting alone at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after his mother was arrested for larceny, credit card theft and assault in another area of the airport, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
The child was put into CPS custody, was sent to a foster home for “a couple of hours,” and moved that same day to another foster home, where he stayed overnight, according to the affidavit. The following day, a foster parent took the child to Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School.
The social worker later picked up the child at school and took him to the Department of Social Services. After offering the child some snacks, the minor agreed to walk to another area of the office and was dragging his backpack when the social worker saw a handgun “on the ground on the path that [the minor] was walking,” according to the affidavit.
The social worker told police that she picked up the gun, left it at a desk and put the minor in an office. Police found that the firearm had a “double feed,” meaning that it was jammed.
A Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority detective told police that video footage in the airport shows the suspect — the mother — “manipulating [the minor’s] backpack, but it is difficult to view what [the suspect] is doing.”
“[The suspect] left [the minor] alone and went on to commit multiple criminal offenses, until she was arrested and [the minor] was found by law enforcement,” the affidavit says.
The minor’s mother goes to court on Aug. 28 for alleged assault and battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
After the gun was found, Samuel W. Tucker Principal Jerylen Daniels told families in a note that a student “may have” brought a gun on school grounds:
Dear Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School Families,
We are writing to inform you that Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) was notified by the Alexandria Police Department (APD) late yesterday evening that a student may have brought a loaded firearm to school on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
At this time, the student is not in school. We are focused on the safety of our students and staff and we are working with APD to ensure the students and staff at Tucker are safe.
For clarification, ACPS did not receive information regarding any student potentially having a firearm in their possession until after school was dismissed for the day. Also, I have not received reports any staff member or student was aware there may have been a firearm at school yesterday. As soon as we were informed, we began to conduct an investigation, which included a threat assessment in accordance with school protocols.
This matter is part of an ongoing law enforcement investigation, and ACPS is fully cooperating with APD to assist with the investigation.
We understand that this information is concerning for families. If your child has questions or needs support, please know that help is available. Students can speak with a teacher, counselor, administrator or any trusted adult at school if they need assistance.
Students can also reach out to CrisisText and Crisis Link at any time, 24/7, through the contacts below:
- Text: CONNECT to 85511
- Call CrisisLink: 703-527-4077
The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. Thank you for your partnership as we work together to maintain a safe and supportive school environment.
