BB Gun brought to Montgomery Blair

[Anonymous]

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2026/02/19/police-detain-one-gun-report-montgomery-blair-high/

From Principal Damon Monteleone:
"

Dear Blazer community,

I am writing to provide clarity about the incident that required us to enact a LOCKDOWN that impacted our school and resulted in anxiety for students, staff and families. The school went into an emergency lockdown around 1:28 pm and remained in lockdown until 1:54 pm, at which point we moved to a ‘secure’ status. We remained in a ‘secure’ status until 2:06 pm, when we resumed normal activity.

Here are the facts:
During the last period of the day, a group of students loitering in the cafeteria was approached by a security team member in an effort to redirect them to class. The students exited the building and moved into the parking lot toward the University Blvd. bus stop. The security team member pursued them, and while outside the building, the security team member believed one of the students brandished what appeared to be a firearm. Following emergency protocols, we moved into lockdown status, called 911 and notified Montgomery County Public Schools. Montgomery County Police (MCPD) rapidly responded to the scene. Through partnership with the officers on scene, the student was detained and a replica handgun (BB gun; firearm facsimile) was found off campus near the bus stop. Police determined the building was secure and confirmed that Blair was safe to move out of lockdown status.

Montgomery Blair sent a community message informing stakeholders of the lockdown at 1:40 pm and sent update messages at 1:55 pm and again at 2:06 pm. Blair administration was in direct contact with MCPS leaders throughout the event.

I want to thank our security team for being alert and proactive, MCPD for their quick and thorough response, and our students and staff for taking the situation seriously and following procedures. As I shared previously, if you see something, hear something, or know something, say something. If your students need any support, our counselors will be on standby tomorrow.

Please feel free to contact the school with any questions."