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Update: Investigation of Gun Possession on School Property Continues; Clarksburg High School Student's Home Searched

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department’s Firearms Investigations Unit continue to investigate the February 15 incident involving 18-year-old Alwin Chen of the 11700 block of Gunners Drive in Germantown possessing a handgun at Clarksburg High School.



As part of this process, detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for Chen's home.  On the evening of February 15, detectives searched Chen's residence.  Evidence, to include the following items, were seized from Chen's home:

  • Two rifles
  • A shotgun
  • Two handguns
  • Ammunition
  • Inert (replica) grenades
  • A ballistic vest
  • A replica electrical firing device (referred to as a clacker)
  • Chen's journal
Regarding the above seized items, it should be noted that:

  • Detectives are working to confirm ownership of the seized guns.  At this time, there is no indication that any of the guns were stolen.  There is no indication that the guns belong to anyone other than household members.
  • There were no explosives recovered in the home.
  • Investigators from the Montgomery County Fire Marshal's Office examined the inert grenades and clacker and determined them to be replicas.
  • Detectives have reviewed the contents of Chen's journal.  There is no wording regarding any threat nor any expression of wanting to cause harm to anyone at the school in this journal.
  • Chen’s motive for bringing a gun to school remains under investigation.
Chen is being held on a no bond status.  This remains an ongoing investigation and detectives continue to work with the State's Attorney's Office and Montgomery County Public Schools.  Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Firearms Investigations Unit at 240.773.6400.



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Release ID: 18-071
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: firearm