Six students arrested for bringing guns to Einstein H.S.

Kensington school locked down for about four hours while police investigate report of a gunshot

Five of the six students were charged. A 14-year-old boy, a 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, all from Silver Spring, were charged as juveniles. The 15-year-old boy was charged with first-degree burglary, theft over $500, reckless endangerment and a series of handgun charges, including unlawful possession of a regulated firearm with ammunition by a minor. The 14-year-old boy was charged with the same handgun-related charges. He was not charged with burglary or theft. They were taken to the Alfred D. Noyes Children’s Center. The 15-year-old female was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.

Einstein students Jose Ramos, 16, of the 2500 block of Weisman Road in Silver Spring, and Geovani Lazabara, 17, of the 3900 block of Isbell Street in Silver Spring, were charged with three counts each of possession of a regulated firearm and possession of a regulated firearm by a minor, and one count each of illegal sale of a regulated firearm, carrying and⁄or transporting a handgun about their person, and carrying and possessing a handgun on public⁄school property.

Both Ramos and Lazabara are being held on $100,000 bond.

The teens will stand trial on May 12. They could get up to 39 years in prison and $73,500 in fines each.

Ramos, according to the charging documents, admitted to police that he touched the three handguns brought to the bathroom by the 15-year-old boy.

Lazabara admitted to police that he offered to buy one of the handguns, according to the documents.

A seventh suspect, Raul Garcia, 20, of the 12000 block of Centerhill Street in Silver Spring, who is not a student at Einstein High School, was taken into custody today. He was charged with possessing a regulated firearm, carrying and transporting a handgun, stealing a handgun, conspiracy to break and enter with the intent to commit theft. A bond hearing is scheduled for Friday for Garcia.

A 16-year-old male student from Silver Spring has not yet been charged as his role in the incident remains under investigation.

According to police, the 15-year-old boy conspired with his 15-year-old girlfriend to steal guns and other items from her home, in order to sell them to make money. The guns were kept locked in the home, but the girl knew where the key was kept. The 15-year-old boy brought three guns to a second-floor boys’ bathroom at the high school to show to potential purchasers. A 14-year-old boy was looking at one of the guns and accidentally pulled the trigger. No one was injured.

Three guns and several knives also taken in the burglary were recovered in a student locker yesterday afternoon, police said.

Police said a fourth gun was given to Garcia, who was considering purchasing it. That gun was recovered at Garcia’s home and he was charged accordingly.

Police said they don’t know for what purpose the potential gun purchasers wanted to use the weapons.

The individuals involved have ties to two different gangs, police said.

Police believe the incident stemmed from a dispute among students, some of who are in gangs, that began last week. They ask anyone with information about the incident to call the 4th District Investigative Section at 240-773-5530.

The Kensington school was placed under Code Red — meaning students were locked in classrooms under supervision with no one allowed in or out — after a student told the principal he may have heard a gunshot, said Montgomery County Public Schools spokeswoman Kate Harrison.

Police were notified and found what looked like a bullet hole in a school bathroom, she said.

Dismissal was delayed as police interviewed students Wednesday afternoon. Parents were notified through the school system’s automatic notification system.

Some parents said they received text messages from their children.

Lisa Currow of Silver Spring said her son texted her that the school was under Code Red.

“As soon as I saw that, I thought gun,“ said Currow, who works for the school system.

Students were allowed to leave the school around 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday.

Some parents who arrived at the school to pick up their children said they were frustrated they didn’t have more details.

“It looks like the police have been on top of this, but we don’t know what’s happening,“ said Aspen Hill resident Wes Crawford, the father of an Einstein student.

— Staff Writer Patrick Dunne contributed to this report.