Magruder High To Give Excused Absences To Students, McKnight Says

ROCKVILLE, MD — Students at Magruder High School who are not ready to return to the school building will be given excused absences for the next couple of days, Superintendent Monifa McKnight said at a news conference Monday.

A shooting in the bathroom left one student in critical condition Friday. A 17-year-old student has been arrested and charged with the shooting, Montgomery County Police said. The incident has been traumatic for students and for staff across the district, McKnight said.

“This gun incident involving students at Magruder High School has weighed on our sense of security, not only at Magruder High School but in every single school within the school system,” said McKnight.

There will be counselors and psychologists for school members to talk to, she said, in addition to police officers.

“Students must feel safe in order to learn,” she said.

Students were kept in lockdown from 1:05 until about 5 p.m. Friday, as police officers and school officials worked to plan a safe exit.