UPDATE: Student Charged, Perry Hall High Gun Threat Rumors Found False

UPDATE (Nov. 28, 4:08 p.m.)—While several police officers and a helicopter responded to Perry Hall High School on Wednesday, officials confirmed that rumors about a lockdown, gun threat and other violence among students were largely false. 

"There are a lot of rumors and stories circulating on social media. I know that Principal George Roberts and the police department have been very active and working very closely to make sure there are no problems," said Charles Herndon, a Baltimore County Public Schools spokesman. 

The rumors likely stemmed from a fight inside the school on Monday that led to a 14-year-old being charged, Elise Armacost, a Baltimore County Police Department spokeswoman, confirmed. 

According to Aramcost, at about 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 26, two boys—a 14-year-old freshman and a 17-year-old senior—got into a fight in a hallway. The fight was immediately broken up by school administrators and both boys were taken to the principal's office and disciplined.

The 14-year-old boy, who had used brass knuckles during the fight, was charged as a juvenile with second-degree assault, Armacost said. 

"The principal asked for a greater police presence today because people were feeling nervous after what happened on Monday," she added. 

Community members have been on high alert since a student opened fire inside the school cafeteria on the first day of school, leaving another student seriously wounded. 

Several parents had become concerned on Wednesday after reading about a possible gun threat and lockdown on social media. Some removed students from school. 

Those rumors, however, were found to be false, Herndon and Armacost confirmed. 

Still, police sent several officers and a helicopter to the Ebenezer Road school Wednesday morning. Two Student Resource Officers, with metal-detecting wands, were already stationed at the school.

"The increased police presence is a precaution and also to reassure parents and students. We do not believe there is any kind of threat," Herndon said. 

Herndon urged parents to "seek out reliable sources of information" and not to spread rumors on social media.