Police: Resource officer accidentally fires gun inside Alexandria school; no injuries reported

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Police are investigating after an officer accidentally discharged his weapon Tuesday morning inside of an Alexandria school.

The incident happened at George Washington Middle School on Mount Vernon Avenue at about 9:10 a.m. Officials said a school resource officer accidentally discharged his service weapon inside his office, which is inside of the school building.

No injuries were reported and all students were reported safe, police said. Authorities stated the officer immediately contacted his supervisor and school staff.

"It's very unusual and very unfortunate and we're hoping it doesn't happen again," Cpt. Donald Hayes with the Alexandria Police Department said.

Officials said the officer is a five-year veteran of the Alexandria Police Department. It was unclear if the officer's gun, which was a .40 caliber Glock, was in the holster at the time it was discharged, but police said the officer was sitting when the incident happened. Officials told FOX 5 that the only time the weapon should be removed from its holster is if the resource officer was responding to a violent situation.

"Our message to the parents is that certainly, our student and staff safety is our high priority," Dr. Lois Berlin, interim superintendent of Alexandria Public Schools told FOX 5. "When we talk about arming teachers, that's what worries me because we had this happen with someone who's a high-trained officer and I think that speaks for itself."

The officer was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.