Handgun goes off in 3rd-grade classroom at Spotsylvania elementary school

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Authorities are investigating after a handgun in a student's backpack went off in a Spotsylvania County 3rd-grade classroom.

According to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 10:50 a.m., a handgun inside a Lee Hill Elementary School student’s backpack accidentally fired in a 3rd-grade classroom.

This prompted the teacher to quickly evacuate all 26 students from the classroom and alert the School Resource Officer.

According to the sheriff's office, early interviews with the student and witnesses determined that there was no intent to cause harm. Fortunately, no injuries to students or staff have been reported.

Detectives are continuing to gather information, including interviews with the student and their parents, as part of the ongoing investigation. At this time, the investigation is still in its beginning stages and further updates will be provided as the situation develops.