GOLDSBORO — A shooting at a Wayne County elementary school has parents on edge there. A student took a gun to school Monday, accidentally shot himself and nearly shot a teacher.

The incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. when 8-year-old Brandon Green took out a gun at Meadow Lane Elementary. That's when the gun went off, shooting Green in the arm.

School spokesperson Olivia Pierce says it was very surprising.

Pierce says Green was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released. No one seems to know why the student, a third-grader, had the gun, or to whom it belongs, but school officials want parents to know their schools are safe.

Parents were sent a letter notifying them of the incident. Some parents say, for them, the letter raised questions about safety.

Safety Director Dave Thomas says parents shouldn't worry.

Soon after the shooting, counselors came in at the request of school officials to spend time talking with frightened students. They will continue counseling Tuesday.