Teen Charged in Wootton HS Shooting To Remain In Jail

Kahlil White-Villatoro is facing multiple charges for shooting a student and pointing a gun at another at the Thomas S. Wootton High School.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A 16-year-old boy, Kahlil White-Villatoro, has been charged as an adult and will remain in jail after a judge ordered he be held without bond. White-Villatoro is accused of shooting one student and pointing a gun at another at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland earlier this week.

Why it matters

The shooting at Wootton High School has shaken the local community, raising concerns about school safety, gun violence, and the mental health of young people. The use of a so-called 'ghost gun' that is difficult to trace also highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in addressing the proliferation of untraceable firearms.

The details

According to police, White-Villatoro is facing multiple charges including two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and possession of a dangerous weapon on school property. The shooting occurred on Monday afternoon, when White-Villatoro allegedly shot one 16-year-old student in a school hallway. He is also accused of pointing a gun at another 15-year-old student earlier that day. The injured student remains hospitalized in stable condition.

  • The shooting occurred on Monday, February 10, 2026 around 2:15 pm.
  • A bond hearing was held on Wednesday, February 12, 2026, where a judge ordered White-Villatoro to be held without bond.
  • A preliminary hearing for the case is scheduled for February 20, 2026 at 9:30 am.

The players

Kahlil White-Villatoro

A 16-year-old boy who has been charged as an adult for the shooting at Wootton High School.

Thomas S. Wootton High School

The high school in Rockville, Maryland where the shooting took place.

Jason West

The Rockville City Police Chief who provided details about the shooting and the firearm used.

Thomas Taylor

The Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent who acknowledged the frustrations of parents following the incident.

The injured student's mother

The mother of the 16-year-old boy who was shot, who described her son as an outgoing and social child who had experienced bullying in the past.

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What they’re saying

“As of today, that's not the son that I see. He's heavily sedated. We can't have our regular conversations, laugh with one another.”

— The injured student's mother (NBC4)

“We came here because we expected that they were going to answer our questions, but unfortunately, they didn't answer our questions.”

— A concerned parent (WTOP News)

“We know that those types of firearms are 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 City Police Chief (Patch.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on February 20, 2026 whether or not to allow Kahlil White-Villatoro out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges schools and communities face in addressing gun violence, mental health issues, and the proliferation of untraceable 'ghost guns.' It underscores the need for comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of such violence and improve school safety measures.