A 15-year-old Northwood High School student is in custody after it was discovered he brought two rounds of ammunition to school with him on Wednesday.
According to Montgomery County Police, an anonymous tip led the high school staff to conduct a self-search, which is when the rounds of ammunition were found. The school then called police as the student fled the campus on University Boulevard.
The Silver Spring high school went into shelter in place, as did nearby Forest Knolls Elementary School.
A Montgomery County Police K9 search of the area recovered a handgun, not on school property. It is not yet known if this handgun belonged to the student, police said.
Less than an hour after the shelter in place went into effect, the student was taken into custody. He was unarmed at the time.
Because the student is a minor, police did not release his name.
While students were sheltering in place, Northwood High School Principal Jon Garrick tweeted,” Students are safe. However, we are working with MCPD to assess neighborhood safety. Updates to follow.”
About a half-hour later, he tweeted, “We are no longer in a shelter in place. Students and staff are safe and we are returning to school.”
The incident is one of several at Montgomery County Public Schools recently that have involved fights and threats causing schools into shelter in place.
Update: We are currently in a shelter in place. Students are safe. However, we are working with MCPD to assess neighborhood safety. Updates to follow.
— Northwood Leadership Team (@NorthwoodPrin) November 17, 2021
