SILVER SPRING, Md. — Montgomery County Police arrested a 16-year-old Monday afternoon for allegedly stabbing a classmate in the parking lot of Montgomery Blair High School. MCPD said the teenager will be charged as an adult for attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and reckless endangerment.
One day after the stabbing, school officials said a relative of the teen arrested brought a weapon onto school property. In a letter to Blair High parents, Principal Renay Johnson said a self-search was conducted on the student and a knife was recovered.
MCPD, who was already on campus for a follow-up safety check, took the student into custody after finding the weapon.
"It is unfortunate that I have to inform you of a second serious incident," Johnson wrote in her letter. "A student, a relative of yesterday’s suspect, violated school policy by bringing a weapon on campus today."
Johnson also told the community that Monday's stabbing victim had been released from the hospital and is recovering from lacerations to their neck and torso.
"The student who sustained injuries from the stabbing has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home," Johnson wrote. "We wish him well in his recovery and have extended support to his family."
Police have not released the name or age of the victim.
Montgomery County began this school year for the first time in nearly two decades without school resource officers inside its schools, out of concern that officers were disproportionately criminalizing the behavior of students of color.
The Police Union representing officers in the school district said the incident was proof that SROs needed to make a return to schools.
"This social experiment continues to fail the safety of the students and staff of MCPS," FOP Montgomery County Lodge 35 tweeted Monday. "There was never a plan in place on how to keep schools safe with removing SROs. Residents need to demand changes and to return SROs immediately."
Read Principal Johnson's full letter below:
Dear Montgomery Blair High School Families,
The purpose of this message is to update you on yesterday’s serious incident. The student who sustained injuries from the stabbing has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. We wish him well in his recovery and have extended support to his family.
It is unfortunate that I have to inform you of a second serious incident. A student, a relative of yesterday’s suspect, violated school policy by bringing a weapon on campus today. In following school safety and security protocols, a self-search was conducted and a knife was recovered. The student’s family was informed and he was taken into custody by Montgomery County Police.
As you know, safety and security are my top priorities. Today, out of an abundance of caution, Montgomery County Police is on campus to support school security efforts in ensuring a safe environment. In addition to our school counselors, central office counselors are here to support staff and students too.
I want to share the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) handout on talking to children about violence. It is in the link below and it is translated into multiple languages as well.
As I shared with students and staff this morning, if you see something, say something which has supported our efforts in ensuring a safe campus. A caring and supportive community is the Blair way. If you have any questions, please contact us at 240-740-7200.
Sincerely,
Renay Johnson