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On Sept. 20, the middle school was evacuated when a suspicious package was found nearby.
Law enforcement's investigation reveled that two individuals placed an explosive device inside of a car parked outside the school.
The following day, Joseph Vickery, 43, and Kristen Vickery, 39, were identified as the suspects and both were arrested for CDS possession with intent to distribute, stemming from illicit drugs and a weapon discovered in the vehicle.
Joseph was also dealt additional charges relating to possession of explosive device.
BCPS Superintendent Darryl Williams released a statement to update the Pine Grove Middle School community, as well as staff who reunited 1,500 students with families after the evacuation.
As Friday night football games and other school-related events begin, BCPS officials have provided updated safety measures to protect community members who attend these events.
Here is the new and improved BCPS safety protocol for athletic events:
- Additional staff will be assigned to all secondary games, including safety assistants and staff from participating schools.
- Elementary and middle school students attending athletic events must be accompanied by an adult (18 years and older) and remain with the adult for the entire event.
- Once spectators have entered a game, there will be no readmittance if they choose to leave before the game has ended.
- Loitering at athletic events or on school grounds after the conclusion of the event will not be permitted.
- Students, staff and members of the community engaging in violent or criminal behavior at a sporting event will be removed from the premises immediately and not be permitted to return to any BCPS campus for athletics or extra-curricular activities for a period of no less than 90 days. Students will be subject to serious school and legal consequences.
BCPS' statement also included the student handbook for the year, to reiterate the expectations of all students in the classroom, on the buses, and at school events.
Police said they do not believe that Pine Grove Middle School was the intended target of the crime on Sept. 20. Both suspects from the incident are being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center without bail.
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