Report Of Armed Person Near Performing Arts Center Under Investigation

BOWIE, MD — On Tuesday, a section of Bowie was shut down after the police department received a report of an armed individual at the Bowie Center for Performing Arts.

The incident happened around 11:40 a.m. in the 15200 block of Annapolis Road. According to the Bowie Police Department, the suspected armed individual originally was identified as a Bowie High School student.

Since the suspected student was no longer at the scene when officers arrived, police tracked down the student who agreed to speak with detectives.

In a letter sent home to parents, school officials said Bowie High School sheltered in place “due to allegations of a weapon outside on school property.”

“The safety of our students is our top priority. The proper authorities were informed and responded to the school. After a thorough search, no weapon was found and the lockdown was lifted,” the letter read in part.

Bowie authorities said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon that officials determined no crime had happened and no weapon had been recovered.

“Everything is still under investigation at this point in time. We have no evidence to support any student that was armed in the building or on campus,” Bowie Police Chief Dwayne Preston said during the news conference.