News Releases

Bethesda Teen Charged in Bradley Hills Vandalism and Arson

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Gaithersburg, MD — The Montgomery County Department of Police has made an arrest in connection with the vandalism and related arson at Bradley Hills Elementary School.

A 16-year-old Bethesda male is in custody. The teen was arrested at approximately 10:22 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, and a search warrant was executed at his home following the arrest.

The suspect, who attends Walt Whitman High School, is charged with two counts of second-degree arson (felony), first-degree malicious burning (felony), malicious destruction of property, and threats of mass violence, one count of altering physical evidence.

On Saturday, April 11, at approximately 2 p.m., 2nd District officers responded to Bradley Hills Elementary School, in the 9700 block of Hartsdale Ave., for a report of vandalism. Graffiti referencing a previous school shooting was found on school property. A storage shed on campus had been intentionally set on fire approximately one week earlier.

Detectives with MCPD’s Threat Assessment & Behavioral Solutions Unit identified the suspect on Sunday, April 12. As part of the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for his electronic devices and recovered items of evidentiary value.

This was a joint investigation between the Montgomery County Department of Police and the Montgomery County Fire and Explosives Investigations Unit.

Second District officers will continue patrols in and around the Bradley Hills campus, however, there is no ongoing threat to the school or the public related to this case.

The case will be referred to the Department of Juvenile Services for disposition.

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Release ID: 26-168
Media Contact: S.D. Goff 
Categories: arrest , school-threats , vandalism