Schools Endure 3-Hour Lockdown, Police Car Potentially Shot

CAPE ST. CLAIRE, MD — Police said a walker reported an armed teenager near two Anne Arundel County schools Monday morning. County Executive Steuart Pittman tweeted at 10:39 a.m. that the facilities, Cape St. Claire Elementary School and Broadneck High School, entered lockdowns while police investigated.

The lockdowns were lifted by early afternoon; authorities have not said if charges were filed in the case.

The rear windshield of a responding cruiser shattered while an officer was in the car, authorities added. Detectives initially ruled this a definitive gunshot, but late Monday they were investigating the broken window as an intentional shot, an accidental misfire or a coincidental mishap with the car.

Police spokesperson Jacklyn Davis said the officer heard a pop before the glass broke. She clarified that investigators had not found a bullet by noon, however. The officer was near Cape St. Claire Plaza, which is less than a quarter of a mile from the original scene.

The spokesperson said the caller spotted the teenager, about 14 or 15 years old, with what she described as a handgun around 9 a.m. in the woods near Hilltop Drive and Blue Ridge Drive. The woman asked the boy what he was doing, and he replied "Oh, I'm just shooting small critters," Davis said.

Authorities could not confirm at a noon press conference whether the gun was a firearm, a pellet gun or a toy.

Detectives said they saturated the area, identified the suspect and gained a strong sense of where the boy was.

Authorities lifted their shelter-in-place order at 1:32 p.m., posting on social media that there was no threat to schools.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools at 2:38 p.m. announced that its facilities had resumed normal operations, would dismiss safely and would continue evening activities.

Investigators did not name the suspect. This is normal protocol for minors unless they are charged as an adult. Officers have not yet shared an arrest nor any charges.

The Anne Arundel County Police Department specified the Maryland State Police and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police assisted its response.

Davis said she will share more information as it becomes available.

To watch the full press conference, click here.

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