In a recent incident at Kenwood High School in Essex, Maryland, the school was briefly placed under lockdown on Friday, with the presence of Baltimore County Police on campus. Contrary to initial concerns, no shooting has been confirmed, and authorities have reported having one person in custody. The lockdown was promptly lifted following the incident.
The situation gained attention when a video depicting students rushing out of the school went viral. Addressing the concerns raised by the circulating video, Baltimore County Police explained that the tactical team’s entry into Kenwood HS was part of the ALICE protocol. ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate, and is an integral component of the BCPS Active Assailant Protocol.
Local media reports confirm that all students are safe, and an email from Kenwood High School’s principal, Carl Armstrong, was shared by WALTV. According to the email, the lockdown was initiated at approximately 11:08 a.m. after a report suggested the possible presence of a weapon in the building. The School Resource Officers and Baltimore County Police promptly responded, apprehending a suspect in the auditorium. Once the suspect was removed, the lockdown was lifted by 11:35 a.m. A thorough search conducted by BCoPD yielded no weapon.
Principal Armstrong emphasized the school’s commitment to prioritizing the safety of students and staff. He stated that a shelter-in-place order was issued, and hallways were cleared during the incident. Acknowledging the swift response of BCoPD, Armstrong urged students and parents to promptly inform school staff of any suspicious activity or potential threats.
“Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we are grateful for the swift response of BCoPD and their efforts to keep our school safe. As with this case, it is important for all of us – students and parents alike – to inform school staff any time you or your child sees, hears, or reads anything that is suspicious or that may pose a threat to the school or its students. Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions,” Principal Armstrong added.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and communication within the school community to ensure a safe and secure learning environment.