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Police say that at around 1:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon, 17-year-old Bethesda resident Akram Nassir was arrested following an investigation into reports of a gun that was inside Walter Johnson High School in Montgomery County.
The tipster advised security on Monday that the student had a weapon on school grounds, and a subsequent search led to the recovery of a 9mm handgun by Montgomery County Public Schools security.
Following the incident, Walter Johnson High School Principal Jennifer Baker issued a lengthy statement in response, laying out the situation for parents and members of the community.
"An individual reported to the administration that they believed they witnessed another student attempting to conceal a weapon in his clothing," she wrote in a letter to the community. "Montgomery County police were immediately called and responded to our school very quickly.
"The student was brought to the office and asked to conduct a self-search; when that request was refused, police conducted a physical search, during which a gun was found."
Following the search, Nasisr was arrested and removed from the building and tried as an adult on a host of charges. He will also face discipline from the school district.
"What occurred today is an extremely serious matter and I am requesting that you take a moment with your child to reinforce the seriousness of bringing anything to school that could be considered a weapon," Baker continued. "Weapons of any kind may not be brought to school, and students are subjected to serious disciplinary actions in alignment with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct and potentially in violation of the law as is the case today for this incident."
Nassir was taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he was awaiting a bond hearing late on Monday afternoon after being charged with:
- Underage possession of a firearm;
- Possession of a loaded handgun;
- Possession of a dangerous weapon on school property.
"Together, we can work for safety in our community and school; in this case, an individual shared important information that allowed us to act promptly," Baker added. "This is 'See something, Say something,' and I am very glad this person took the initiative to report what was seen to the administration."
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