Student shot in arm by classmate

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A teenager who brought a gun to school planning to sell it accidentally fired the weapon in a classroom Wednesday, wounding another student’s arm, police said.

Markees Smith, 15, was charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and carrying a gun on school property, Police Lt. Joe Scott said. Smith was turned over to Juvenile Court authorities.

A court official who refused to give her name said she could not provide any information about Smith or whether he had an attorney.

The wounded student was treated at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis and sent home. The 16-year-old male was described by police as a friend of Smith’s.

Scott said investigators believe Smith brought a pistol to Manassas High School planning to sell it.

“It was in his coat pocket. He had his hand in there and I think he was just kind of fooling with it and it went off,” Scott said. “The victim was not an intended target.”

The shooting occurred in an 11th grade English class about 8:45 a.m., Scott said. He declined to say what kind of handgun was involved.

The school was temporarily locked down after the shooting while police searched the building for firearms and questioned witnesses. The gun believed used in the shooting was found outside a classroom window, police said.