Graffiti with Sandy Hook shooter's name found at Bethesda elementary school

Montgomery County police investigating incidents at Bradley Hills Elementary, including arson at outdoor shed

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:54pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of graffiti on a fence, the text obscured by dramatic shadows and harsh lighting, conveying a sense of unease and investigation.Graffiti bearing the name of the Sandy Hook shooter found at a Bethesda elementary school raises disturbing questions about the lasting impact of mass violence.Bethesda Today

Montgomery County police are investigating an incident in which graffiti bearing the name of the man who committed the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School was found on Saturday at Bradley Hills Elementary School in Bethesda, Maryland. School officials said the graffiti was an act intended to intimidate the school community and that it will be met with a substantial response. The incident comes shortly after an intentionally set fire at an outdoor storage shed on the school's property, though it's unclear if the two incidents are connected.

Why it matters

The use of the Sandy Hook shooter's name in graffiti at a local elementary school has understandably caused significant distress and concern within the Bethesda community. School shootings and acts of violence against children are deeply traumatic, and any reference to such events can reopen painful wounds. This incident raises questions about school safety, the motives behind such acts, and how the community can come together to address them.

The details

According to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) officials, the graffiti was discovered on Saturday on an existing sign on a fence at Bradley Hills Elementary School. The graffiti included the name of the perpetrator of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting. After the graffiti was reported, MCPS documented it and a building services team began removing it, which was expected to be completed on Saturday evening. The incident was reported to county police, and an investigation is underway.

  • The graffiti was discovered on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • The fire at an outdoor storage shed on the school's property occurred during the past week.

The players

Peter Moran

MCPS Chief of Schools.

Marcus Jones

MCPS Chief of Security and Compliance.

Bradley Hills Elementary School

An elementary school in Bethesda, Maryland where the graffiti incident occurred.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“To be clear, the use of the name of an individual responsible for such a heinous act, one that involved the loss of life of young school children, can only be interpreted as an act intended to intimidate and cause fear within the Bradley Hills School community, and the broader neighborhood and community, too.”

— Peter Moran, MCPS Chief of Schools

“Please know that this despicable act will be met with a substantial and uniform response from multiple divisions of MCPS and the Montgomery County Police Department.”

— Marcus Jones, MCPS Chief of Security and Compliance

What’s next

The Montgomery County Police Department is investigating the graffiti incident and the earlier fire at the school's outdoor storage shed to determine if the two events are connected.

The takeaway

This disturbing incident has shaken the Bethesda community and raised concerns about school safety and the lasting trauma of mass shootings. It underscores the need for vigilance, a coordinated response from authorities, and ongoing efforts to address the root causes of such acts and support those affected by them.