Magruder High School Principal Christopher Ascienzo provided families with additional details about Thursday morning’s lockdown, which followed two separate incidents involving students found with a knife and a BB replica handgun.
According to a letter sent home to families, the investigation began before the start of the school day when a staff member overheard a student telling others in a hallway that another student may have had a weapon. School security and administrators identified the students involved in the conversation and brought them to the main office for questioning.
One student admitted to possessing a knife and cooperated with staff, allowing the weapon to be confiscated, Ascienzo said. Another student became agitated while administrators questioned him about his involvement, physically assaulted an administrator and ran to a second-floor classroom where his backpack was located. A security staff member who had been sent to retrieve the student’s belongings was already inside the classroom.
Ascienzo placed the school in a Secure status at 8:43am before immediately transitioning to a lockdown due to the struggle inside the classroom as staff attempted to confiscate the backpack. A community engagement officer responded, and 911 was called as the situation escalated.
Police took the student into custody and recovered a BB replica handgun from the backpack. The student was moved to the main office before being transported from school property.
After consulting with police and MCPS systemwide security personnel, Ascienzo lifted the lockdown at 9:10am and placed the school in a Hold status. The student found with the knife was interviewed by police and released to school administrators while staff waited for the student’s parent to arrive.
The Hold was lifted at 9:46am, allowing students to transition to their third-period classes and the school to resume its normal bell schedule.
Montgomery County Police previously said the student with the BB gun, a 15-year-old male, assaulted an MCPS administrator and members of MCPS security during the investigation. He was charged with first- and second-degree assault, possession of a dangerous weapon on school property and disruption of a school day. The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services authorized his detention.
Any disciplinary action involving the student found with the knife will be handled administratively by MCPS. Ascienzo said both students will face disciplinary consequences in accordance with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct following the police investigation.
The principal encouraged families to speak with their children about the danger and seriousness of bringing weapons or weapon replicas onto school property. He also credited the staff member who reported the conversation for alerting administrators to the potential threat and helping prevent serious harm.
Ascienzo acknowledged that the incident and police presence may have been upsetting or traumatizing for students and staff. Social and emotional support, including counseling services, will be available throughout MCPS.
Magruder’s Back-to-School Night proceeded as scheduled Thursday evening. Ascienzo said families will also have an opportunity to discuss the lockdown with him and MCPS central office leadership during the school’s PTSA meeting at 7pm on September 17.
