Student with Gun found at Walter Johnson

[Anonymous]

Dear Parents, Students, and Staff,

I write to inform you about a serious incident that occurred today, Monday, Oct. 23 and how it was addressed.

An individual reported to the administration that they believed they witnessed another student attempting to conceal a weapon in his clothing. Montgomery County Police were immediately called and responded to our school very quickly. The student was brought to the office and asked to conduct a self-search; when that request was refused, police conducted a physical search, during which a gun was found. Police arrested the student and removed him from the building. The student will also receive discipline in alignment with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct, which is very specific for violations of a serious matter such as this.

The police had no information concerning a direct threat to the campus or any individual and there is no information that the student intended any harm to anyone in the building today.

What occurred today is an extremely serious matter and I am requesting that you take a moment with your child to reinforce the seriousness of bringing anything to school that could be considered a weapon. Weapons of any kind may not be brought to school, and students are subjected to serious disciplinary actions in alignment with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct and potentially in violation of the law as is the case today for this incident.

Together, we can work for safety in our community and school; in this case, an individual shared important information that allowed us to act promptly. This is “See something, Say something,” and I am very glad this person took the initiative to report what was seen to the administration.

I want to thank our school staff for their commitment to our established safety procedures and for working swiftly and efficiently to ensure this matter was handled professionally. I also appreciate your cooperation and discussing this issue with your child to work together to maintain a safe and nurturing learning environment at Walter Johnson High School.

Additionally, after dismissal, we evacuated the building briefly to investigate an odor. The fire department came and gave us the all-clear to reenter the building. The two incidents were unrelated.

If you have any questions, please contact the school at 240-740-6900.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Baker
Principal
Walter Johnson High School

[Anonymous]

As a DCC High School parent who is constantly chastised and lambasted on this forum for not sending my kid to a W school, because the W schools have less behavioral/safety issues, I think you all need to re-examine your false sense of security and superiority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a DCC High School parent who is constantly chastised and lambasted on this forum for not sending my kid to a W school, because the W schools have less behavioral/safety issues, I think you all need to re-examine your false sense of security and superiority.

That’s your take away from this horrible situation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a DCC High School parent who is constantly chastised and lambasted on this forum for not sending my kid to a W school, because the W schools have less behavioral/safety issues, I think you all need to re-examine your false sense of security and superiority.

What a POS you must be to hear this news and attempt an " I told you I was right"
Wow.
Wj has over three thousands students so it is more likely to happen there than other places. .

I am impressed the student who saw it showed leadership and responsibility and reported it. I can think of a few schools where that part wouldn't have happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a DCC High School parent who is constantly chastised and lambasted on this forum for not sending my kid to a W school, because the W schools have less behavioral/safety issues, I think you all need to re-examine your false sense of security and superiority.

This is terrible but my thought too. The DCC schools seem to have less issues this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a DCC High School parent who is constantly chastised and lambasted on this forum for not sending my kid to a W school, because the W schools have less behavioral/safety issues, I think you all need to re-examine your false sense of security and superiority.

That’s your take away from this horrible situation?

+1 we are zoned for Einstein and my takeaway is that this is terrifying.

There are more guns than ever. The last school shooting was at Magruder. I'm so scared that there will be another one soon, and it might be at any school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a DCC High School parent who is constantly chastised and lambasted on this forum for not sending my kid to a W school, because the W schools have less behavioral/safety issues, I think you all need to re-examine your false sense of security and superiority.

What a POS you must be to hear this news and attempt an " I told you I was right"
Wow.
Wj has over three thousands students so it is more likely to happen there than other places. .

I am impressed the student who saw it showed leadership and responsibility and reported it. I can think of a few schools where that part wouldn't have happened.

Most hs have 2400+ students. It is good the student saw it and reported it but this is why MCPS needs more security and metal and other detectors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a DCC High School parent who is constantly chastised and lambasted on this forum for not sending my kid to a W school, because the W schools have less behavioral/safety issues, I think you all need to re-examine your false sense of security and superiority.

If you're going to start this, then know that all high schools in this larger DC area have had assault and abuse incidents. It's sadly something that all large high schools will have, public or private, DC, MD or VA!

Even my private international high school in Paris had a moron bring a gun to school once. Some kids are just plain stupid. It can happen anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Still think SROs are unnecessary?

[Anonymous]

I thought this stuff doesn’t happen at W schools?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a DCC High School parent who is constantly chastised and lambasted on this forum for not sending my kid to a W school, because the W schools have less behavioral/safety issues, I think you all need to re-examine your false sense of security and superiority.

That’s your take away from this horrible situation?

+1 we are zoned for Einstein and my takeaway is that this is terrifying.

There are more guns than ever. The last school shooting was at Magruder. I'm so scared that there will be another one soon, and it might be at any school.

I used to think I would feel better once my children graduate from high school but there have been so many college campus shootings I've lost track of them.

[Anonymous]

Did they specify whether or not the gun was loaded?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a DCC High School parent who is constantly chastised and lambasted on this forum for not sending my kid to a W school, because the W schools have less behavioral/safety issues, I think you all need to re-examine your false sense of security and superiority.

That’s your take away from this horrible situation?

That is one of the primary take-aways. But yes, not the only one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a DCC High School parent who is constantly chastised and lambasted on this forum for not sending my kid to a W school, because the W schools have less behavioral/safety issues, I think you all need to re-examine your false sense of security and superiority.

You must feel so proud today. Pat yourself on the back. Get lost.

Thankfully no one was injured today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a DCC High School parent who is constantly chastised and lambasted on this forum for not sending my kid to a W school, because the W schools have less behavioral/safety issues, I think you all need to re-examine your false sense of security and superiority.

What a POS you must be to hear this news and attempt an " I told you I was right"
Wow.
Wj has over three thousands students so it is more likely to happen there than other places. .

I am impressed the student who saw it showed leadership and responsibility and reported it. I can think of a few schools where that part wouldn't have happened.

DP. I wouldn't do it, but since nothing bad happened, and there isn't even any evidence that anything bad was intended to happen, I don't think "W parents need to re-examine your false sense of security and superiority with respect to the DCC" is so inappropriate here.