Maryland high school student is shot inside Thomas S. Wootton High School as police detain suspect amid campus lockdown in Rockville

A frightening scene unfolded at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, on Monday afternoon when a student was shot inside the campus.

Montgomery County police quickly responded to the emergency, and authorities say a suspect has been taken into custody.

Students inside the school were forced to shelter in place as the campus went into lockdown, leaving many terrified and unsure of what was happening around them.

Parents and family members were told to head to Robert Frost Middle School for reunification, while police blocked all roads around the high school to keep the situation under control.

Timeline of the Incident

Montgomery County Police Department officers were called to the school at approximately 2:15 p.m. local time.

Less than an hour later, officials confirmed that one student had been shot in a school hallway and was being transported to a nearby hospital.

Thankfully, authorities say the student is expected to make a full recovery.

During the lockdown, police shared brief updates on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that one person had been shot and later reporting that one suspect had been detained.

Photographs from the scene showed a man and a woman in restraints, though it has not yet been confirmed if both were directly linked to the shooting.

Students and Staff Describe Chaos

Those inside the school described moments of extreme fear.

Joel Shore, a student who had left earlier in the day, told local media that everyone he spoke to during the lockdown was “extremely scared.”

He added, “I’m shocked. I just wish this didn’t happen.”

One parent shared messages from their child, revealing that students could hear yelling and banging from the floor above.

The student also described hearing special response teams moving through the building as police secured the area.

School and Community Response

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) implemented a lockdown immediately and began releasing students safely just after 4 p.m., according to live footage.

Council President Natali Fani-Gonzalez expressed her shock and heartbreak over the incident, emphasizing that student safety remains a top priority.

“This shouldn’t happen in our schools at all,” she said.

The school district and law enforcement urged parents not to go to the campus itself, instead directing them to the designated reunification site.

Meanwhile, roads around the school were closed as police worked to secure the scene.

Known Facts About School Shootings in Maryland

While this incident is still under investigation, Maryland has seen multiple school-related shootings over the years.

Experts note that rapid police response and effective lockdown protocols can significantly reduce casualties in these situations.

However, questions about school security measures, including the use of metal detectors, often arise after such events, as Shore mentioned he was unaware of any in place at Thomas S. Wootton High School.

What’s Next?

Authorities continue to investigate the incident to determine the motive and the involvement of all suspects.

Officials are expected to release more information about the identities of those detained and whether anyone else may have been involved.

Meanwhile, support services for students, staff, and families affected by the shooting are being mobilized, including counseling and community resources.

Summary

A student was shot at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, on Monday, prompting a lockdown and a swift police response.

The injured student is expected to recover, and one suspect has been detained while investigations continue.

Students and staff described the scene as chaotic and frightening, while local leaders emphasized the need for safety and community support.

Roads around the school were closed, and a reunification site was set up for families.

Officials are investigating the full circumstances behind the shooting, with further updates expected soon.