On Feb. 9, our school joined the ever-growing list of high schools that have fallen victim to gun violence.  At approximately 2:15 p.m., a 16-year-old male student shot another 16-year-old male student on the first floor of the building, underneath the Best Buddies mural. 

Senior Alvin Wang was walking toward the single-stall bathrooms in the hallway that intersects the upper gym and World Language classes when he heard the gunshot. “To me, it sounded like it came from the staircase because I was right next [it]. It was really loud and my ears hurt; I’ve never heard a gunshot before… I thought someone dropped one of those metal gym carts,” Wang said. “I’m washing my hands, and the security guard opens her walkie-talkie, and says, ‘Call 911, someone’s been shot.’ I sprinted back to class and told the teacher to lock the door. When I said that to her, I didn’t even believe it myself.” 

Feb. 9 

Before 2:15 p.m. – The suspect allegedly pointed a weapon at a 15-year-old female victim, according to Fox 5 and the MoCo Show. Officials said that the victim was not injured.

Approximately 2:15 p.m. – All classes were placed in a hold, which quickly moved into a lockdown. Law enforcement and emergency personnel arrived shortly after, according to the MoCo Show and the City of Rockville website. 

At 2:36 p.m. – A school lockdown message was sent to Frost MS parents and guardians through ParentSquare. 

At 2:39 p.m. – A school lockdown message was sent to this school’s parents and guardians through ParentSquare. “My first thought was to text my daughter to make sure [she was] safe. When they brought out the kid on the stretcher, I was glad for a moment it wasn’t her,” parent Craig Berk said. 

Approximately 3:07 p.m. – Frost MS moved into a secure and later began dismissal. 

Approximately 3:10 p.m. – The parking lot and surrounding roads were shut down. “We [were] told to leave the parking lot as soon as possible so more police [could] come. They didn’t care where we went, but it could not be school property,” Berk said. 

Approximately 3:25 p.m. – Parents were notified that they would be reunited with their children at Frost MS. 

At an unknown time during the lockdown – The victim was transported to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition, according to the City of Rockville website.  

At 3:30 p.m. – The suspect was arrested off-site, according to the MoCo Show.

Approximately 3:50 p.m. –  All classes maintained a lockdown. 

AP Psychology, sociology and SGA teacher Amy Buckingham does not have an eighth period, but in alignment with lockdown protocol, took in a student who was in the hallway. “[I was] trying to make sure that I could provide support for her to make sure she wasn’t so scared. I don’t want to lie and say ‘You are absolutely safe,’ but I want[ed] to make sure that she knew I would do anything and everything to keep her safe,” Buckingham said.

During the lockdown, students who had access to their phones checked in with family and friends. An image of the victim on the ground and a picture of the suspect allegedly with the weapon was posted to Instagram and circulated amongst students. “Honestly, no one in my class, including me, would’ve known anything about it if I didn’t have my Apple Watch where I could see my notifications,” sophomore Vikram Gidwani said.

Law enforcement came into each classroom individually. “At a certain point during the day, the door was breached by MCPD or Rockville Police, they came in. There were a handful of officers in their tactical SWAT gear, they pointed guns at myself and the students, asked us to put our hands up. They were coming for a particular student who I believe they thought was a suspect… They removed the student from the class,” AP Language and Composition and Honors English 12 teacher Daniel Pecoraro said. 

Approximately 4:30 p.m. – Students were let out class-by-class by police officers, led outside the front of the building and escorted onto buses to Frost. “It’s not very convenient to get to Frost, but that was the safest building we could get to… There was a lot of logistical coordination that we did do as a school system to help support police as they’re trying to maintain safety and preserve the integrity of the investigation,” MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor said. 

At 6:15 p.m. – Reunification between students and parents began at Frost MS. “They could’ve dealt with the reunification part a little better. When I got home, it was almost 9:30 p.m., but I mean, this is one of the first times [an incident like this] has happened at Wootton. I don’t think anyone expected it to happen at Wootton, so it makes sense,” Gidwani said. 

At 9:23 p.m. – Taylor explained in a press conference and email statement that students were to return to school the following day, Feb. 10.

A modified bell schedule that included extended eighth and second periods and normal-length sixth, seventh and first period classes was later announced. “Given that so many students are traumatized after seeing what happened goes to show how [Taylor] had no empathy for the students at all. At the next [MCR] General Assembly, I plan to ask a question to him about that because that was just straight wrong,” sophomore and MCR-SEC deputy officer Ansh Singh said. 

According to Taylor, keeping school open on Feb. 10 allowed for greater mental health support. “[Monday] was exhausting and traumatic, and we just wanted to make sure that folks have that access, even if [it was] kind of a throwaway academic day. We want you guys to be safe and cared for physically and emotionally. Sitting at home and scrolling in isolation versus being with peers and having access to mental health [resources] was more of a priority. I know it’s tough, but it’s the lesser of two really difficult choices,” Taylor said.

After 9:30 p.m. – Faculty began being bused back to this school to pick up their cars as students continued to be dismissed from Frost MS.  

Feb. 10

At 12:30 a.m. – Principal Dr. Joseph Bostic left the school. 

At an unknown time during the evening – A Polymer80 9mm handgun, commonly known as a ghost gun was recovered, according to the City of Rockville website. 

Approximately 7:20 a.m. – Staff engaged in a meeting in the auditorium with Bostic and Taylor. According to faculty who were present, teachers were generally upset with the little support following extended hours and vocalized questions about the return to school. 

Before 7:45 a.m. – Students who were arriving were instructed to stay in the cafeteria. Over 100 MCPS mental health workers arrived on site to support students and staff. 

Approximately 8:05 a.m. – Students began in eighth period with wellness lessons constructed primarily from the Department of Psychological Services and taught by MCPS social workers from across the county. This lesson included coping mechanisms and time for students to share their thoughts. These lessons were intended to provide “everyone an equal playing ground to get the help that they want or need,” Northwood HS social worker Michelle Levit said. “I am not only a staff of MCPS, I have a child in MCPS. And it scares me every single day, especially immediately after something like this happens. You just hope that something will change.” 

At 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – Family meetings took place in the auditorium to provide a greater level of information and mental health supports to the community. 

At 7:04 p.m. – An email was sent out to students and parents clarifying that Feb. 11 will be a non-instructional learning day. 

At some point during the evening – NBC Washington spoke to the mother of the victim in the shooting; at her request, neither her name nor her son’s name was released. “He expressed to me, and people close to him… that he’s experienced, in the past, some bullying. I’ve talked to administration and his counselor about these concerns and their reasoning was, ‘Well, because nothing has transpired yet.’ But why should we wait until it gets to that point? Because now, I’m here today, and unfortunately, my son has been a victim of gun violence,” she said. 

Supervisor for the 42 MCPS well-being social workers Stephanie Wallace specializes in student support services and assisted this school in following ‘Prepare,’ a nationally-approved training that is a part of crisis response. “Trauma is a huge thing, school shootings is one area that people are experiencing trauma… we are continuously advocating to make sure that we have enough mental health professionals in our schools for our students,” Wallace said. 

Students and staff agree that nothing can prepare someone for an event of this magnitude. “Even right now, it just feels so surreal. For me to have been so close to where it happened, maybe like 100 feet away, that was just so scary to me. We always do these drills, but you never really expect it to happen,” Wang said. 

This incident challenged logistics and communication at this school. “[Monday’s] events were extremely scary, stressful and time-consuming. MCPS’ response was good in terms of ensuring student safety, but I believe it was extremely hectic and there was a huge lack of clarity for both families and students,” junior Skye Cushing said. 

Students, staff and community members strive to move forward. “I think administration did the best they could… As a teacher, it’s not something I expect or plan. I’m proud of the students, I’m proud of my colleagues. I’m grateful that the police department responded quickly and effectively,” Pecoraro said.

Following bomb threats and the 129-page manifesto written by a former student detailing plans for a school shooting in 2024, this school ​​continues to face threats to safety. “There’s been some bumpy things that have happened over the last couple years that have been really unfortunate. No one incident defines Wootton as a school community. This is going to be a part of the conversation for a significant period of time,” Taylor said. 

According to Taylor, MCPS piloted a weapon detection system this week at Magruder, Seneca Valley and BCC to provide balanced safety perspectives. Taylor said that with the rise of ghost guns — like the one used in this incident — it is becoming increasingly difficult for precautions like metal detectors to detect the materials found in these types of guns. “I don’t think that there’s a ‘policy’ way out of this or an ‘enforcement’ way out of this. We have got to have school communities and cultures where we feel comfortable talking and elevating concerns when they arise,” Taylor said.

In a country where school shootings are prominent, this incident serves as a reminder that no school is exempt from the effects of gun violence. “It feels like for all the safety precautions we take, there is always going to be gaps. It is worrisome that the places that should feel the most safe, unfortunately, it seems like are more and more becoming less safe or at least feeling less safe. It breaks my heart that young people have to worry about coming to school,” Pecoraro said.

The number and identities of potential witnesses, other involved parties and motive are unknown at this time as MCPD and security officers at this school refused to comment, citing that the investigation is still ongoing. At this time, the suspect has been charged “with attempted second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and various firearms-related charges, including possession of a dangerous weapon on school property,” according to the City of Rockville website.