Alleged Maryland school shooter hid gun in backyard, prosecutor says

16-year-old charged as adult in shooting at Thomas S. Wootton High School

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A 16-year-old Maryland high school student accused of shooting a classmate ran home afterward and tried to hide an untraceable 'ghost gun' in the backyard, a prosecutor said in court. The victim, also 16, suffered 'very serious injuries' and 'is still undergoing surgery.' The suspect faces attempted second-degree murder and other charges.

Why it matters

The shooting at Wootton High School has left the community shaken, with students, teachers and staff traumatized by the incident. It has also reignited concerns about gun violence in schools and the proliferation of untraceable 'ghost guns' that can be difficult for law enforcement to trace.

The details

According to prosecutors, the 16-year-old suspect pointed his gun at another student earlier in the day, telling the 15-year-old girl it was fake. After the shooting, the suspect ran home and tried to hide the weapon in his backyard. Police later recovered the untraceable 'ghost gun' used in the attack.

  • On Monday around 2:15 p.m., police were called to Wootton High School after at least one gunshot was fired.
  • The suspect was ordered held without bond during a court hearing on Wednesday.

The players

Wootton High School

A high school in Montgomery County, Maryland, where the shooting took place.

Kimberly Cissel

Assistant State's Attorney who outlined details of the case in court.

Brett Lonker

Assistant Public Defender who represented the 16-year-old suspect in court.

Michael Glynn

District Judge who declined the request to transfer the suspect to a juvenile facility.

Jason West

Rockville Police Chief who discussed the difficulty in tracing the 'ghost gun' used in the attack.

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What they’re saying

“We are all extremely lucky that the defendant doesn't stand here charged with the most serious of crimes, given his actions on that day.”

— Kimberly Cissel, Assistant State's Attorney

“Students, teachers, employees [were] unaware if this was an active shooter situation or not. That trauma is also something that his actions caused.”

— Kimberly Cissel, Assistant State's Attorney

“We know that those types of firearms — they're very difficult to trace, if we can do that at all. Part of our investigation will include: Where did that firearm come from? How did that student come into possession of that firearm, and how did it get into the school?”

— Jason West, Rockville Police Chief

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to transfer the suspect's case to juvenile court.

The takeaway

This shooting has highlighted the ongoing challenges schools face in preventing gun violence, particularly with the rise of untraceable 'ghost guns' that can easily be obtained. It underscores the need for comprehensive solutions to address the root causes of school shootings and ensure the safety of students and staff.