3 kids hurt when student fires AR-15 during anti-drug event at California elementary school

Three children were hurt Wednesday after a student pulled the trigger of a police officer’s AR-15 rifle during an anti-drug demonstration at a California elementary school.

An 11-year-old told KCAL-TV that police officers were playing four square with students about 11:40 a.m. Wednesday and handing out stickers when one student wandered over to a police motorcycle that had a gun latched to it.

The event was part of "Red Ribbon Week," which is intended to promote awareness about illegal drug use.

The Newman Elementary School student apparently pulled the trigger, which caused it to discharge into the ground, and the startled student ran to a nearby field, witnesses said.

Two students were hospitalized for minor lacerations likely caused by metal debris and another student was treated at the school for some scrapes and cuts, firefighters said.

Chino police said the weapon was initially identified in reports as a handgun, but officers confirmed the firearm was an AR-15 rifle.

They said the gun was discharged but never removed from its locked mountain device.

Similar weapons have been removed from police motorcycles during the investigation.

Watch this video report posted by KTLA-TV: