Mother of 9-year-old boy, who took the loaded gun she kept in a lockbox with a broken lock to school in his backpack and fired the weapon in a restroom, was charged
Georgia – In a deeply concerning incident in Georgia that could have easily turned deadly and underscores the critical consequences of negligent gun ownership, a 36-year-old mother, identified as D. Webb, has been arrested and charged after her 9-year-old son carried a loaded handgun in his backpack to his elementary school and fired it inside a restroom. The child had taken the weapon from a lockbox in their home—one his mother knew was broken but never fixed.
Webb faces a misdemeanor reckless conduct charge after authorities say she carelessly stored her loaded 9mm handgun in a lockbox with a broken lock. She was aware of the defect but took no steps to repair it, even though young children lived in the home. The arrest warrant further alleges that Webb failed to inspect her son’s backpack on the morning of the incident, on August 14—a lapse that allowed the child to bring the firearm into school. On Wednesday, August 20, she was taken into custody and subsequently released on a $1,500 bond.
Earlier that day, the boy carried the mother’s unsecured weapon into school and, unfortunately, fired it at a toilet in the restroom, causing considerable damage but no injuries. “This is too close to home. This is where my son goes to school. This is the bathroom he uses every day. It could’ve been bad,” a parent commented, reacting with relief that no children were hurt. As per reports, school police statements allege that Webb knew the lockbox was broken. The child took the loaded gun along without oversight and discharged it in the restroom. The school district responded swiftly following the incident
Though the student has not been publicly charged or disciplined (as that information remains undisclosed), the school district responded swiftly. The school board approved new measures: unarmed security officers will now patrol elementary school perimeters and ensure doors remain locked. Metal detectors are being installed in middle and high schools, with the long-term goal of placing a school resource officer at every elementary campus. Another parent, identified as M. Calderon, voiced support for further precautions: “At least they’re doing something, and I hope they do the metal detectors outdoors.”
Webb was arrested on August 20 and released on a $1,500 bond. Details regarding her court dates have not yet been released. Police confirmed that while the child did discharge the weapon, details regarding any juvenile charges or school disciplinary action have not been made public. Authorities say the case remains under review. Meanwhile, officials continue to remind gun-owning parents that securing firearms is not just a legal responsibility—it is vital to keeping schools safe.
