BETHESDA, MD – A 16-year-old student at Walt Whitman High School was arrested Wednesday after school officials discovered a loaded handgun and extra ammunition inside his backpack during class.
Mall Fight Leads To Discovery
The incident began around noon following a reported fight at Westfield Montgomery Mall. According to Montgomery County Police, the altercation involved students from two local high schools. During the dispute, a witness alleged that someone displayed a firearm before the group dispersed.
Information gathered at the mall led officers to identify a suspect at Walt Whitman High School.
Security Response and Arrest
Principal Greg Miller and school security located the student in a classroom and escorted him to a secure area in the main office. Upon searching his backpack, police recovered a loaded 9mm Ruger handgun.
Officials noted that the weapon’s serial number had been obliterated, and a magazine containing additional ammunition was also found in the bag.
Charges and School Safety Debate
The teenager has been charged as an adult in connection with the incident.
The discovery has reignited a heated debate regarding school safety in Montgomery County. Some local officials, including Gaithersburg City Councilmember Yamil Hernandez, are calling for a “modified” return of the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, which was removed from schools in 2021.
Ongoing Safety Measures
In an email to families, Principal Miller emphasized that the student was secured quickly and that the safety of the student body remains the top priority. Police have not yet confirmed if the mall fight was the direct reason the gun was brought onto campus, but the investigation remains active.
