Gun At Parkville High Prompts Lockdown, Arrest: Officials

PARKVILLE, MD — A 16-year-old was accused of bringing a gun to Parkville High School on Friday, sparking a brief lockdown.

School staff said they were investigating the smell of marijuana when they grew suspicious that a student had a weapon. The employee immediately contacted the student resource officer and notified the school administration.

The school went on lockdown at 11:30 a.m.

School officials were about to search the student's book bag, but police said the student ran away.

Officers said administrators reported seeing the handle of what appeared to be a handgun as the student left the school.

A school resource officer immediately took the student into custody and later located an unloaded firearm that had been discarded, a press release said. The school said the gun was found off of school property.

Authorities said they later found a discarded magazine.

"The student will receive serious consequences in alignment with state law, Board policy and the BCPS handbook," Principal Maureen Astarita said in a letter to families, encouraging the community to report security concerns to administrators or Safe Schools Maryland. "Dangerous and disruptive behaviors will not be tolerated at Parkville High School."

Astarita said the student was arrested, and the lockdown ended at 11:45 a.m.

The student was charged as an adult with a handgun violation, the Baltimore County Police Department said.

"Please speak with your child(ren) and remind them that harmful choices and disruptive and dangerous behaviors have a significant impact on our entire school community. Weapons are strictly prohibited," Astarita said. "I want you to be assured that the safety of our students is our top priority."