Northwood lockdown today

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:updated letter:

Good afternoon Northwood community:

The purpose of this letter is to provide an update and clarity to the incidents that occurred at Northwood High School on Thursday, September 11, 2025. We recognize that additional information and conflicting information are in the community and media. For the initial information about the incidents, please click here for the 9/11/25 community letter.

I want to send tremendous praise and thanks to our students, staff, and families for a fantastic response to the serious incidents. We have received feedback from our partners in Montgomery County Police and MCPS security praising everyone in our community: our students' quick response and seriousness during the incidents, our staff’s knowledge of procedures and responsiveness to students, and our parents/caregivers for being vital partners in keeping the situation calm as we navigated. We sometimes find out how strong a community is when we go through challenges.

As a follow-up to our incident involving the airsoft gun (BB gun), please see these clarifying points:
The item found by Montgomery County police was an airsoft gun (BB gun). It was not a firearm, a ghost gun, or any type of device that fires a bullet. This was confirmed visually by Montgomery County police to administration during the incident. Please be mindful of media reports with headlines such as “gun found”.
During the police search, a bullet was found on another student. This information was shared with administration after the incident was finalized as part of the police investigation. This student was not in possession of the airsoft gun, did not possess a weapon, and the bullet was not connected with the airsoft gun. We recognize that police photos frame the two items together. They are not connected items.
It is important to remind our entire school community that weapons of any kind — including firearms, airsoft/BB guns, knives, and any other objects that could be used to cause harm — are strictly prohibited on school property, at school-sponsored events, and on school transportation. This prohibition is clearly stated in MCPS policy and regulation, and the consequences for violations are outlined in the MCPS Student Code of Conduct. We take these matters very seriously and respond in accordance with district protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff.

We recognize that any serious incident leaves both questions and real anxieties. Please do not hesitate to reach out with me with questions or needs for support at [e-mail]

I'm hearing that Dr. Garrick is not being honest in this update.

Who are you hearing that from? What is he not being honest about?

He’s lying when he says the BB gun and live round are not related. The BB gun was modified and could shoot live rounds.

Are you sure of this? Lots of rumors flying around

They are absolutely not. They are either idiotic conspiracy theorists or teenage trolls. Ignore them. You cannot “modify” an airsoft gun to fire bullets.

The police press release said it was a bb gun. I am going to go with the police are more experts on firearms than the principal and the posters on this board. But the police are probably in on the conspiracy in this poster’s fried mind.

[Anonymous]

The fact that the student had live ammunition in school should be very concerning. How did he have access to it and why would he bring it to school? Will these kids be back in school after a 10 day suspension? Northwood parents should be concerned and they should not let the principal off the hook. These kids should have their bags searched every day. I’m sure that will not happen but is there any plan to closely monitor them moving forward? I’m less concerned about the kids in the first incident who were caught with water guns in the school parking lot. That seemed harmless although bad judgment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The fact that the student had live ammunition in school should be very concerning. How did he have access to it and why would he bring it to school? Will these kids be back in school after a 10 day suspension? Northwood parents should be concerned and they should not let the principal off the hook. These kids should have their bags searched every day. I’m sure that will not happen but is there any plan to closely monitor them moving forward? I’m less concerned about the kids in the first incident who were caught with water guns in the school parking lot. That seemed harmless although bad judgment

Looking at the code of conduct, it should be an expulsion. A principal can’t tell you what happens to a specific student but I hope expulsion is done. I hope MCPS backs the principal too because expulsions are only done by the superintendent and I have heard principals routinely get denied.