ANNAPOLIS, Md. — At least seven students at Annapolis High School have been charged in connection to a fight and stabbing that sent two students to the hospital and put the school in lockdown Wednesday morning.
Following reports of multiple assaults, Annapolis High School went on lockdown early into the school day Wednesday morning. Anne Arundel Police responded to the scene around 8:45 a.m. and found two victims with stab wounds. The victims were initially treated at the school's health room before being transported to area hospitals, according to Anne Arundel County Public Schools officials.
AACPS confirmed the lockdown in a letter to parents, citing, "several fights" having taken place. During the lockdown, no one was allowed in or out of the building. In a press conference Wednesday, police would not confirm there were "several fights," but only discussed one. Police said the two people stabbed were students at the school. Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Around 10:15 a.m. the school district sent out an update letter to families indicating the lockdown had been lifted. The updated message says all students remain safe, supervised, and resumed classes following the lifted lockdown.
The school said that instruction is continuing on a slightly modified schedule and that additional school system staff members will be in the building to help students feel safe, along with an increased police presence for the rest of the day and at dismissal.
All after-school activities on Wednesday have been canceled.
Law enforcement continues to investigate on scene at Riva Road at the school's campus. In a press conference, police said seven people, all students at the school who are under the age of 18, have been charged in connection to the incident. Detectives are still sorting through charges for those students involved.
Investigators said the stabbings happened as the result of a fight between students that was stopped by School Resource Officers in the building who saw it happening.
A teacher told the SROs that one of the students had a knife, and the SROs were able to get the student to drop the knife and take them into custody.
"We are fortunate these SROs did exactly what they were trained to do," said one investigator at a press conference.
Detectives said the fight was carried over from a previous incident in the neighborhood and may have been some form of retaliation. They are going through video footage from the school as well as witnesses and interviews to determine if anyone else was involved in the fight.
All weapons, including knives, are prohibited on Anne Arundel County School's property according to the district's code of conduct.
The initial letter sent to Annapolis High School parents Wednesday stated:
Good morning Annapolis High families. This call is to let you know that the school is currently on lockdown due to several fights that have taken place this morning. Students are all in classrooms and are supervised at this time. School administration and police are investigating the situation and we will provide you with more information when we have it. At this time, no one is allowed in or out of the building. Please do not come to the school to pick up your student. Again, students are safe and in classrooms where they are supervised. Thank you.