Disturbing 'Hit List' Sparks Investigation at Baltimore County School

A sixth grader's alleged 'hit list' at Sparrows Point Middle School has prompted an ongoing police probe and raised concerns about communication and mental health support.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:45pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled piece of paper with handwritten text, lit by a harsh direct flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the discovery of an alleged 'hit list' at a local school.A disturbing 'hit list' at a Baltimore County middle school has sparked an ongoing police investigation and raised concerns about communication and mental health support.Baltimore Today

A disturbing 'hit list' allegedly tied to a sixth grader at Sparrows Point Middle School in Baltimore County has sparked an ongoing investigation by local police. The list, which surfaced on social media, reportedly included the student's intent to harm 14 classmates and himself. While the school initially claimed there was 'no credible threat,' they are now denying the existence of the list. Parents have criticized the school and police for failing to properly communicate the situation and concerns remain about whether the student is receiving adequate mental health services.

Why it matters

The discovery of a student 'hit list' at a Baltimore County middle school has raised serious concerns about school safety, the handling of potential threats, and the need for better communication between schools, law enforcement, and the community. This incident highlights the importance of proactive measures to address mental health issues and prevent violence in schools.

The details

According to reports, the alleged 'hit list' was uncovered by a concerned parent who shared screenshots of a text exchange where the 11-year-old student expressed intent to harm 14 classmates and himself. The messages read, 'I'm preparing to do something big,' and 'maybe in a couple of weeks or couple of months.' While the school initially claimed there was 'no credible threat,' they are now denying the existence of the list. Several parents reported the student received a 9-day suspension, but it's unclear if he is receiving any mental health support.

  • On September 23, 2025, the alleged 'hit list' was discovered on social media.
  • On September 23, 2025, the school sent a letter to parents stating they take threats seriously.

The players

Sparrows Point Middle School

A middle school in Baltimore County, Maryland where the alleged 'hit list' incident occurred.

Baltimore County Police

The law enforcement agency investigating the alleged 'hit list' incident at Sparrows Point Middle School.

John Turnbull

An attorney at Turnbull Brockmeyer Law Group who received screenshots of the alleged 'hit list' from a concerned parent and shared them with the firm's Facebook followers.

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What they’re saying

“Not a single call from the school, not a single call from the police—this is an absolute abdication of their responsibility as caretakers of the community and as educators of our community—to communicate those types of things.”

— John Turnbull, Attorney, Turnbull Brockmeyer Law Group

“Look, everyone knows who it is. It's not going to really be a secret. So in the macro, don't we say to the community, 'yes, he's in counseling.' You know who he is, we're going to get him better.”

— John Turnbull, Attorney, Turnbull Brockmeyer Law Group

What’s next

Police have confirmed they are speaking with the 11-year-old student's parents, community members, and school administrators to ensure all threats 'have been mitigated.' The investigation is ongoing as parents seek more information to make informed decisions for their children.

The takeaway

This incident at Sparrows Point Middle School highlights the critical need for schools, law enforcement, and communities to work together to address mental health issues, improve communication, and implement proactive measures to prevent violence and ensure the safety of all students.