"These officers have to assess the possible risk of every situation they enter. These detectives also know from experience that weapons often go hand-in-hand with the street drug trade.
"While I don't have specific details yet about this particular officer and situation, in general, it would not be unusual for an undercover narcotics officer to have his weapon available as he approaches a potentially dangerous situation," she said.
The decision to draw a weapon is based on an officer's discretion, said Dan Besseck, president of the Howard County Police Officers' Association.
"To point a weapon at somebody, there has to be some point of perceived threat," Besseck said, calling the shooting a "tragic accident."
The teenagers are freshmen at Hammond High School in Columbia, according to the county school system.
Hammond's principal sent a note to parents of students yesterday offering counseling for any students who "appear to be unsettled."
Usery has attended Howard public schools since kindergarten, according to Patti Caplan, spokeswoman for county schools. He attended Deep Run Elementary and Patuxent Valley Middle before entering Hammond.
Garcia has attended Howard schools since third grade, Caplan said. Garcia previously attended Baltimore schools.
Attempts to reach family members of the victims yesterday were unsuccessful.
Howard police Chief William J. McMahon spoke with the boys' families, Llewellyn said.
"He too, was encouraged to hear that the prognosis was good for both young men," the spokeswoman said.
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