WASHINGTON — The trial date for an 18-year-old Germantown, Maryland, teen charged with bringing a loaded handgun to school has been postponed.
Prosecutors have charged Alwin Chen, an honor student at Clarksburg High School, through two “criminal information” charges. Chen is also charged with three misdemeanors pertaining to carrying a handgun and possessing firearm under the age of 21.
Chen’s trial was supposed to begin Thursday. Instead, it has been moved to April 6.
According to documents, Chen “brought a loaded, hand-made handgun to school on many occasions — likely every day — from December 2017 throughout February 2018.” The court documents say a witness told Maryland state’s attorneys that Chen “wore body armor to school on multiple occasions.”
“Information,” “criminal information” or “criminal complaint” charges are similar but not identical to indictments and can be used by prosecutors to formally begin a case.
The process also does not involve a grand jury.
Chen is being held without bond until his trial.
