Student Shot at Wootton High School; Suspect Apprehended
A student was shot inside Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland, on Monday, February 9, 2026. Police confirmed that a suspect, also a student, was apprehended shortly after the incident, and the victim was transported to a hospital in stable condition. The high school was placed on lockdown following the event.
Incident Details Emerge
At approximately 2:15 p.m., police officers were dispatched to Thomas S. Wootton High School, located in Rockville, approximately 20 miles north of Washington, D.C. Authorities confirmed that a student sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach. The injured student was transported to a hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. Their identity has not been released.
Following the shooting, the school campus was placed on lockdown. Law enforcement officials identified and apprehended a suspect, who is also a student, near the school shortly after the incident. No details regarding the suspect's name or age have been provided.
Police confirmed there was no further threat to the public.
Parents were instructed to pick up their children at Robert Frost Middle School.
Montgomery County Public Schools Responds
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) outlined its existing security protocols and student support systems following the incident.
Physical Security Measures in Place
MCPS utilizes several physical security measures across its campuses, including:
- Access Control Systems (ACS): Entrances are equipped with ACS for visitor check-in, requiring state identification scans through a visitor management system (VMS).
- Closed-Circuit Camera Systems: Cameras are installed both inside and outside school structures.
- Vape Sensors: High school bathrooms are equipped with vape sensors that also include aggression detection capabilities.
Comprehensive Student Support Services
The district maintains a comprehensive mental health strategy to support students and families, which includes:
- Professional School Counselors: Every school is staffed with professional school counselors.
- Student Well-being Teams: These teams are established in schools to connect students and families with necessary resources.
- Licensed Social Workers: MCPS employs 80 licensed social workers.
- Community Partnerships: The district collaborates with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and various community mental health agencies to provide in-school mental health services across elementary, middle, and high schools.