GAITHERSBURG, MD — A 13-year-old Montgomery County student has been charged after allegedly making threats against a local middle school, prompting a temporary shelter-in-place at two campuses.
On March 17, administrators at Parkland Middle School received phone calls from an individual claiming they intended to carry out a school shooting. Montgomery County Public Schools officials immediately alerted police, and School Community Engagement Officers responded to the scene.
As a precaution, both Parkland Middle School and nearby Brookhaven Elementary School were placed on a temporary shelter-in-place. An investigation by the Montgomery County Police Department’s Behavioral Assessment Unit (BAAU) identified the caller as a 13-year-old male student from a different middle school.
The juvenile has been charged with threats of mass violence and disruption of school activities. The case will be handled by the Department of Juvenile Services. Authorities have determined there is no credible threat to the community.