Teen Attacked Outside Maryland High School; Suspect Displayed Knife

Winston Churchill High School locked down Wednesday

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A Maryland high school locked down Wednesday when a student from another school showed up with a knife.

Students at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac were returning from lunch and testing about 11:25 a.m. Wednesday when a female student was assaulted near the bus loop outside the main entrance, according to school officials.

When a parent and a student intervened to help the girl, the assailant brandished a knife and threatened them before running away, police said.

Churchill principal John Taylor emailed families about the incident Wednesday afternoon, writing, “We entered into a shelter-in-place for the afternoon in order to notify staff and implement our emergency protocols to help secure the building.”

Parents who spoke to News4 Thursday said they feel school staff handled the situation appropriately.

Police identified the suspect as a 17-year-old student from Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda. He was taken into custody at a home in Potomac.

Police said the girl’s injuries were minor.

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