Paramus security accidentally fires gun in elementary school bathroom

An armed Paramus security officer accidentally discharged his weapon in the bathroom of Midland Park Elementary school on May 19th according to the school superintendent. This was in a staff only bathroom with luckily only one person in the restroom. The guard has been placed on leave from his position at the school and Paramus police were notified of the incident.

Unfortunately, things like this do happen on occasion with regards to firearms. However, the security officer should be properly trained in gun safety to ensure that nothing like this could happen, especially on school grounds with children present.

Our firm has represented several clients in the past who have accidentally discharged their weapon. One young man in particular was cleaning his gun in his apartment building in Bergen County and the weapon went off and the bullet went into the neighboring apartment. In that case, we were able to avoid any felony charges on his record and resolved the matter to disorderly conduct.

The key when it comes to these situations is the intent: did the individual have any intent to discharge the weapon. If not, then that eliminates a lot of potential criminal charges. However, they still can be charged with reckless conduct for say cleaning a gun in proximity to other people, especially children. This could lead to charges such as endangering the welfare of a child even if it was not intentionally firing the weapon but it was reckless to even put the child in that situation in the first place.

In this case, there were no children in the vicinity (luckily) so it is unlikely any criminal charges will be filed based on a lack of intent and an accidental discharge by the Paramus security officer. He will face administrative penalties such as losing his employment or being suspended and some gun safety training is is order to make sure nothing like this ever happens again in the future.