Student Shot at Wootton High School in Montgomery County

Officials examine ways to improve school safety after the incident

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A 16-year-old student was shot inside Thomas S. Wootton High School in Montgomery County, Maryland on Monday. The alleged shooter has been charged with attempted second-degree murder and will remain in jail. Officials are now scrutinizing school security measures, including the removal of school resource officers (SROs) from county schools in 2021, and considering new technologies to detect weapons.

Why it matters

The shooting at Wootton High School has raised concerns about school safety in Montgomery County and the impact of the decision to remove SROs from schools. Officials are now evaluating security protocols and exploring new measures to prevent future incidents and ensure the wellbeing of students.

The details

The 16-year-old alleged shooter has been charged with attempted second-degree murder and will remain in jail after a judge ordered him held without bond. Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy criticized the removal of SROs from schools, saying it was a "terrible mistake" that has contributed to two school shootings involving ghost guns since the change. School officials are now considering bringing SROs back and piloting new weapons detection systems at three schools starting in March.

  • The shooting incident occurred on Monday, February 12, 2026.
  • The alleged shooter was ordered held without bond on Wednesday, February 14, 2026.
  • School officials plan to pilot weapons detection systems at three schools starting in March 2026.

The players

John McCarthy

Montgomery County State's Attorney who renewed criticism of the decision to remove school resource officers (SROs) from county schools.

Thomas Taylor

Montgomery County Schools Superintendent who said everything is on the table when it comes to improving school safety.

Mo Canady

Executive director of the National Association of School Resource Officers who discussed the role of SROs in building relationships and preventing incidents on school campuses.

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What they’re saying

“It was a terrible mistake to take the SROs out of our schools.”

— John McCarthy, Montgomery County State's Attorney (WTOP)

“When you talk about keeping firearms out of school, dealing with these types of incidents, if you've got a carefully selected and specifically trained SRO on the campus, that officer — if they're doing the job the right way — is building relationships within that building with students, faculty members, parents.”

— Mo Canady, Executive Director, National Association of School Resource Officers (WTOP)

“We may be looking at a lot of different other countermeasures, as well as how we can bolster a really safe school culture and climate where kids feel welcome to — if they see something, they say something. And having that school environment where kids are invested in community safety to the point that they are looking and being their brother's or their sister's keeper.”

— Thomas Taylor, Montgomery County Schools Superintendent (WTOP)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the 16-year-old alleged shooter out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of school safety and the need for a comprehensive approach that includes security measures, building positive school culture, and engaging the broader community. As officials evaluate options, the removal of school resource officers and the role of juvenile justice policies will likely remain central to the discussion.