MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENT SHOT BY A CLASSMATE

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 11, 1993                   TAG: 9303110254
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By Associated Press
DATELINE: MANASSAS PARK                                LENGTH: Short
MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENT SHOT BY A CLASSMATE
A 12-year-old middle-school student was accidentally shot by another student in a boy's bathroom, school officials said today.
J. David Martin, superintendent for city schools, said the shooting occurred Tuesday at Manassas Park Intermediate School as classes let out for the day.
The boy was struck in the thumb and leg by a .32-caliber bullet. He was taken to Prince William Hospital. Hospital officials declined to comment on his condition Wednesday, but Martin said the injuries were not life threatening.
Martin said another 12-year-old student brought the semiautomatic handgun to school. When he stopped to use the bathroom on his way to the bus, the gun accidentally discharged and the bullet struck a student behind him, Martin said.
The student with the weapon went home but was picked up later by police. He was being held Wednesday at a detention center in Prince William County.
Martin said the school has not taken any action against the boy, but school policy calls for immediate suspension. The principal could recommend possible expulsion.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB