District police: student injured in apparent accidental firearm discharge at Hubert Middle School; investigation ongoing

Chief Terry Enoch, the district's school police chief, described an incident on Dec. 30 in which a student was injured during an after-school athletic practice at Hubert Middle School after what investigators believe was an accidental firearm discharge in a locker room. "Law enforcement and emergency responders acted immediately. The student received medical care, and there was no ongoing threat to students, staff, or the school community," Enoch said.

Enoch said investigators from the school system are leading the inquiry with support from the Savannah Police Department and the district attorney's office. "Today, investigations remain active, and we're investigating the incident with support from the Savannah Police Department and the district attorney's office," he said. The chief described the district's layered approach to safety—trained staff, cameras, weapon-detection devices, campus security and partnerships with local law enforcement—and said the incident underscores continuing concerns about children's access to firearms.

In response to a reporter's question about why weapon detectors were not used at the after-school practice, staff said it was a missed opportunity and that the practice took place in the gym where attendees were not entering through main entry points with detectors. "They were not entering into the main entry points where we have no detectors. It was a practice in the gym," a district investigator said, adding the district is reviewing how to strengthen after-school protocols.

District officials said they will conduct an after-action review to identify improvements for after-school hours and building use outside normal school days. No formal disciplinary or criminal findings were announced at the press conference, and the investigation remains active.