Administrators at the Benjamin Stoddert Middle School were alerted shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon about a student who was possibly in possession of a gun inside the building.
The School Resource Officer assigned to the building was notified, identified and located the student, who was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun in their lunchbox.
No threats were made.
Now, investigators from the sheriff's office and the SRO is working to determine when and how the 13-year-old student got the gun, and why the weapon was brought to school.
The student was charged on a Juvenile Offense Report with possession of a firearm on school grounds and will face school disciplinary consequences, officials said.
It remains under investigation.
Want breaking news in the DMV as it happens, or want to contribute? Join the DMV All Incidents Facebook group.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Gaithersburg and receive free news updates.