News Releases

Sixteen-Year-Old Charged with Making Social Media Threat

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 26, 2026

Gaithersburg, MD - A 16-year-old Gaithersburg girl has been charged in connection with a social media threat that was made on Instagram against Wootton High School on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

A Montgomery County Department of Police – 1st District officer was dispatched to a Rockville residence and spoke to a parent who stated that his child, who is a student at Wootton High School, observed an Instagram post with a direct threat to the school.

MCPD Threat Assessment and Behavioral Solutions Team was notified and identified the owner of the Instagram account.

A detective with the MCPD Threat Assessment and Behavioral Solutions Team, along with an officer, interviewed the suspect and her parents. The suspect admitted to making the threats and the investigation has determined that there does not appear to be an ongoing threat to the community.

As a result of the threat, MCPD and Rockville City Police increased police presence at the school.

The teen has been charged with threats of mass violence. The case will be processed through the Department of Juvenile Services for disposition.

 

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Release ID: 26-090
Media Contact: S.D. Goff 
Categories: school-threats