Airsoft Gun Accidentally Discharged on Bus, Striking Child in Face with Plastic Pellet

An Airsoft gun was accidentally discharged on a Barrow County school bus Friday, striking a child in the face.

According to the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred when a student was trying to put the weapon, which shoots plastic pellets, back into the backpack where it had been hidden.

The student who was struck was seen by the school nurse and was not injured.

The student in possession of the gun — an air-powered weapon that operate like a BB gun but fire softer projectiles that are considered non-lethal — was taken into custody and deputies determined the child did not intentionally fire the weapon or aim it at any other person. The student was charged with carrying weapons on school property and disrupting public school before being released to the parents.

The incident happened just weeks after deputies say a student and threatened to kill another child.

“Parents have the right and obligation to know what their children are taking to school,” Sheriff Jud Smith said in a news release. “We at the sheriff’s office encourage parents to check their children’s backpacks and personal items before leaving the house.”