PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — A Suitland High School student was shot on campus Thursday morning, leading to the school being placed on lockdown and a police investigation.
Officers with the Prince George's County Police Department responded to Suitland High School, located on Silver Hill Road in District Heights, around 10 a.m. after a report of a shooting outside of the school. Once at the school, police determined that the shooting happened after a fight near the football stadium.
At the time of the fight, a large group of students was nearby that witnessed what happened, when multiple shots were fired they all ran into the school. The assigned School Resource Officers at the school provided emergency care to the student, identified as a 14-year-old who was hospitalized and said to be in stable condition.
Out of an abundance of caution, security measures were put into place and the school was put on lockdown to ensure the safety of all students and staff. As of noon, the school remains on lockdown.
Prince George's County police say a 14-year-old boy has been placed under arrest in connection to the incident, but it has not been determined if they are the shooter, according to Police Chief Malik Aziz.
While this shooting occurred outside the school, several parents told WUSA9 they are not satisfied with security inside.
"We want them to get an education so they don’t have to live in areas and neighborhoods like this," one mom said while waiting for her child outside. "But when you have situations like this, how can they progress? How can they learn in a hostile environment?"
Another mom who was on the phone with her daughter still inside the school expressed her frustration with how communication unfolded, saying she was only told the person arrested had been involved in a large fight outside the school.
The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information to share should contact 1-866-411-TIPS or a trusted adult.
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