On Monday, February 9, 2026, an ordinary afternoon at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Montgomery County, Maryland, was upended by a shocking act of violence. As students prepared to end their school day, a 16-year-old male student from Gaithersburg was shot in the stomach inside a school hallway, according to Montgomery County police and multiple local news outlets including 7News and Bethesda Today.
Police responded to the incident at approximately 2:15 p.m., rushing to the school after receiving reports of shots fired. The campus was immediately placed on lockdown, a move that authorities described as a necessary precaution given the nature of the threat. Tactical agents joined the response, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, along with Rockville City police, assisted in securing the scene. According to statements released by law enforcement, the victim was found suffering from a single gunshot wound and was quickly transported to a local hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. His identity has not been released to the public.
Within a short period, police identified a 16-year-old male classmate from Rockville as the suspect. He was apprehended near the school and is set to be charged as an adult, according to police statements cited by 7News and Bethesda Today. The swift arrest brought some relief, but the investigation remained active as authorities searched for the firearm used in the attack. By late afternoon, Rockville City Councilmember Adam Van Grack confirmed that a police dog had located the gun, helping to ease concerns of an ongoing threat.
Despite the harrowing events, officials emphasized that there was no further risk to public safety. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) announced that Wootton High would open on time the following day, February 10, 2026. Still, the aftermath was anything but routine for students, parents, and staff. The school remained on lockdown for several hours, and parents were instructed to meet their children at Robert Frost Middle School, which served as the designated family reunification site. The process was fraught with anxiety and confusion, as described by one parent who told 7News, “Dozens of cars were abandoned on the road and the lines were backed up.”
Outside the school, the scene was tense. Police had set up barricades, and news helicopters circled overhead as parents waited for updates. Phoejin Kim, whose daughter is a sophomore at Wootton, recounted to Bethesda Today the worry she felt after driving from her workplace in Virginia: “My daughter has been texting, but she said she cannot talk. I’m just checking every now and then to see if she’s fine and safe.”
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich addressed the community in a public statement, attempting to reassure families and underscore the priority of student safety. “I am aware of the shooting that occurred this afternoon at Thomas S. Wootton High School and that a person is in custody. I am in direct communication with Montgomery County Police, the City of Rockville, and Montgomery County Public Schools leadership as they assess the situation and ensure the safety of students, staff, and the surrounding community. At this time, officers are on scene and investigating. The school was placed on lockdown as a precaution, which is the appropriate step whenever there is a report of gunfire on a campus. Our thoughts are with the Wootton students, faculty, and their families during this distressing time. Incidents like this are frightening for all involved. Student safety is our highest priority. We will continue to coordinate closely with law enforcement and school officials and will share confirmed information as it becomes available. There will be a lot of news, information, and potential misinformation about this breaking and ongoing situation. I ask residents to rely on official updates from Montgomery County Police and Montgomery County Public Schools while the investigation continues.”
County Council President Natali Fani-González also weighed in, stating, “I am shocked and heartbroken by the disturbing shooting at Wootton High School. With the police investigation underway, it is paramount that we remain focused on addressing the gun violence in our community. Guns have no place in our schools.”
The incident has reignited debate about security measures in Montgomery County schools. MCPS does not currently operate metal detectors in its schools, though it has started pilot programs testing various security technologies at three high schools—Seneca Valley, Bethesda Chevy Chase, and Magruder. Wootton High School is not among those participating in these pilots. According to district officials, MCPS employs a range of other security measures: access control systems at building entrances, a visitor management system that requires state ID scans, closed-circuit cameras covering all interior and exterior spaces, and vape sensors equipped with aggression detection in all high school bathrooms.
When questioned by 7News about additional safety protocols, MCPS explained, “MCPS has ACS (access control system) installed at our entrances to ensure that visitors check-in properly and only MCPS badge holders can enter the building without being buzzed in. We also have a visitor management system (VMS) that requires visitors to scan in their state IDs to visit anyone the building, as well as closed circuit camera systems in all of our interior and exterior school structures. MCPS also uses vape sensors, equipped with aggression detection, in all high school bathrooms.”
Beyond physical security, the district has invested in mental health resources for students. Every school is staffed with professional counselors, and active Student Well-being Teams work to connect students and families with social-emotional and mental health support. MCPS employs 80 licensed social workers and partners with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, as well as multiple local mental health agencies, to provide services in all middle and high schools and most elementary schools. These services are available to students who have received permission for more intensive mental health therapeutic support.
As the investigation continues, officials have urged the public to avoid speculation and rely on official updates from law enforcement and school authorities. Rockville City Councilmember Adam Van Grack echoed this sentiment, warning against the spread of rumors and emphasizing the importance of accurate information from trusted sources.
The shooting at Wootton High School has left the community grappling with difficult questions about safety, preparedness, and the broader issue of gun violence in American schools. The rapid response by law enforcement and school officials prevented further harm, but the emotional impact on students, parents, and staff will linger long after the headlines fade. For now, the focus remains on healing, supporting those affected, and ensuring that such a tragedy does not repeat itself within the walls of a place meant for learning and growth.