Month: February 2026

By Adam Thompson, Caroline Foreback

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A 7-year-old brought a gun registered to his mother’s boyfriend to an Anne Arundel County school on Wednesday before accidentally discharging it in a classroom, according to police.

The boyfriend, 34-year-old Eashan John Stefanski, was served with a criminal summons on Thursday, charged with leaving a loaded firearm accessible to a minor.

The second-grader brought a handgun to Freetown Elementary School in Glen Burnie and discharged the gun inside his classroom, police said. He was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury to his hand.

Police said the boy brought the gun from his home. The Glock 27 firearm is registered to Stefanski, according to charging documents obtained by WJZ.

The charge does not carry jail time, but Stefanski could be fined up to $1,000.

“It’s a misdemeanor charge,” said Anne Arundel County Police spokesperson Justin Mulcahy. “That is for leaving a loaded firearm basically accessible to a minor – this 7-year-old child. The individual charged is an occupant of the home where the child lives. My understanding is he is a significant other to the child’s mother.”

Discharging at Freetown Elementary Officers were called to the elementary school on Wednesday morning after police said the child was showing off a gun when it discharged and shot him in the finger.

The bullet continued onto the floor, ricocheted, and struck a cabinet in the classroom, according to charging documents. Nine students and a teacher were inside the classroom at the time.

A teacher secured the weapon and provided aid to the student, according to police.

Checking the firearms in the home The child was living with his mother and her boyfriend, who keeps several firearms in the home, according to charging documents. Stefanski told police he keeps one gun in his car, one gun under his mattress, and three rifles in a locked safe in his closet.

Officers were permitted to check inside the home, where they found an unloaded handgun under the mattress, two unloaded guns locked in gun boxes in the bedroom closet, along with the keys. Police said a gun box was located without its Glock 27, but contained a gun lock, the keys and loaded magazines.

The responding officer determined the firearms were not properly stored from children, and police seized them.

Keeping guns away from children Anne Arundel County police are reminding gun owners about the county’s free gun lock program through the Anne Arundel County Department of Health and stressing the importance of safe storage and firearm education.

“Explaining the severity of it and the seriousness of it and why you keep those guns locked up and secured away from children,” Mulcahy said. “There’s a reason that you secure weapons away from children and talk about the dangers of weapons.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Jermont Terry

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — A breathtaking Chicago alley is stunning visitors with its vibrant colors, with garage doors deliberately tagged resembling graffiti.

Just west of the Illinois Medical District, you’ll find some newer homes at the intersection of Campbell and Lexington in Tri-Taylor that look very similar, but it’s the back of those homes, specifically in the alley, that’s catching everyone’s attention.

“It gives us a chance to show off a little bit of our uniqueness in each of our houses,” said resident Brandon Thompson.

Each garage door shares a story — some showcase Chicago sports history, but Thompson loves it all the same.

The builder came up with the idea when the new structures were built, and he didn’t hesitate

“We got the chance to come check them out and see them before we moved in. Some neighbors got to choose their unique designs. One of our neighbors, who’s an artist, actually, did one of the murals. So yeah, we’re very proud of it,” Thompson said.

It’s not every day you expect people choose to stop in a city alley.

“Never. I stay away from alleys. But yeah, not this alley,” said Jennie Bustillo.

“It’s the most Insta-grammable alley in Chicago,” Thompson said.

It turns out the alley is more than just popular. People are coming out even on a winter night to get a glance.

“I never seen nothing like this before,” said visitor Danica King.

Danica, 13, is so amazed that she was taking pics and video through her mom’s sunroof.

“If someone like likes art and stuff, they should come out here and look at it,” she said.

She convinced her mom to venture down to this alley destination. Her grandmother, Lillian King, also found the visuals amazing.

“I see neighborhood unity, and I just love it. Maybe this something in my neighborhood I would love to do,” she said.

When garages open and close, people are often hanging out. Neighbors say it’s likely preventing unwanted graffiti in the neighborhood.

“I see it being a deterrent because I think the community respects it. People come to see it, and if there was vandalism, we wouldn’t notice it because it’s already a little tagged up,” Thompson said with laughter.

Only time will tell if the color trend will spread to other Chicago alleys.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.