S. California elementary school student pulls trigger on police rifle, 3 kids hurt by shrapnel
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Three children were injured by shrapnel after a fellow elementary school student pulled the trigger of an assault rifle mounted on a police motorcycle during a school assembly, authorities said.
The AR-15 was locked to the side of the motorcycle that was on display at Newman Elementary School on Wednesday during an anti-drug program when a student managed to fire it, Chino police spokeswoman Tamrin Olden said.
"The bullet disintegrated when discharged by striking a metal plate where the barrel rests against the weapons mount," and metal debris apparently struck some children and caused minor injuries, she said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It is likely that metal debris struck two children resulting in extremely minor injuries," Olden said, adding that the children were treated at a hospital and released.
A third student was examined at the school and released to parents, she said.
The children were treated for cuts and scrapes, said Fire Department spokeswoman Massiel Ladron De Guevara.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The weapons mount holding the rifle had several fail-safes, including the metal plate, Olden said.
There was no immediate word on whether a police officer was nearby when the accidental discharge occurred.
Rifles have been removed from other police motorcycles while the shooting is investigated, Olden said at a news conference.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The shooting occurred while police visited the school for Red Ribbon Week, an annual national event that features a series of activities designed to raise awareness about drug and alcohol abuse.