A 17-year-old student on his way to pick up his cap and gown at Frederick Douglass High School on Friday became the victim of an attempted robbery in which the robbery suspect accidentally shot himself, according to police.
Police said the student was approached from behind by someone who placed a gun at his back about 12:30 p.m. A struggle over the weapon ended with the gunman shooting himself and the student gaining control of the weapon.
Douglass school police spotted the suspect chasing the student outside the school and stopped the student, while the suspect fled on foot. The victim had the suspect's gun and blood on him, police said.
Baltimore police released video and images of the suspect from nearby surveillance footage. T.J. Smith, a Baltimore police spokesman, urged anyone with information on the incident to come forward.
"We don't know if this is a student," Smith said of the suspect. "We don't have any information, at this point, that leads us to believe he was ever in the school."
The suspect is likely seeking medical attention in or near the city, Smith said.
Police did not identify the student.
Sgt. Clyde Boatwright, president of the Baltimore school police union, said officers responded to the incident and secured the gun.
The student "was preparing for the happiest day of his life, and got into the fight of his life," Boatwright said.
The high school, at 2301 Gwynns Falls Parkway in West Baltimore, was placed on lockdown. City police taped off the parking lot near the school's east entrance for a crime lab officer to begin investigating areas north and east of the school. Citywide shooting detectives were also on the scene.
Parents, family members and friends of students began arriving at the school about 1:30 p.m. They expressed shock and uncertainty as they congregated on the sidewalk and median near the school building. Teachers outside the school declined to comment.
"We're just glad our student is safe, and we look forward to graduation on Sunday," said Kelvin Bridgers, principal at Frederick Douglass High.
Smith said police do not believe the suspect poses a danger to the community.
Baltimore Sun reporters Kevin Rector and Erica Green contributed to this article.
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