Student In Serious Condition After Being Stabbed In Long Reach High School Parking Lot

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — An 18-year-old boy was stabbed in the parking lot of Long Reach High School in Columbia Thursday morning. The student was taken to Shock Trauma by ambulance and is listed in serious but stable condition.

The 17-year-old suspected in the attack drove off in an unknown vehicle. At 9:30 p.m., the department said it had located and arrested the suspect.

The school initially was in full lockdown then moved into a modified lockdown.

WBAL TV reported these schools were put on a modified lockdown due to an increased police presence in the area: Bellows Springs Elementary School, Bonnie Branch Middle School, Deep Run Elementary School, Ducketts Lane Elementary School, Elkridge Elementary School, Elkridge Landing Middle School, Hanover Hills Elementary School, Ilchester Elementary School, Jeffers Hill Elementary School, Mayfield Woods Middle School, Phelps Luck Elementary School, Rockburn Elementary School, Thomas Viaduct Middle School and Waterloo Elementary School.

Howard County police will have extra officers on campus on Friday when students return, the station reported.

The school resource officer was at the school and provided aid to the injured student within a minute's time. According to the Howard County Police Department, the two students were arguing, which led to the stabbing.

Howard County Public School System Superintendent Michael J. Martirano addressed the situation Thursday evening, noting the lockdown was implemented immediately in order to keep students staff safe while police and other first responders were notified and arrived quickly on the scene.

As soon as the injured student was taken from Long Reach to the hospital, the school began communicating with families to provide updates as they became available. Crisis intervention staff quickly arrived at Long Reach to support students and staff who were in the building during the lockdown, as well.

"My immediate, and continued, concern remains on the injured student, his family and the students and staff at Long Reach High School who are suffering from fear and trauma resulting from this incident," Martirano said. "This terrible event is extremely concerning and I know that parents, guardians and families were extremely troubled as they received updates from the school and messages from their children.

"To ensure everyone in the building remains safe during a lockdown, people are not able to enter or exit the school other than those actively investigating the incident. Of course, this can be extremely difficult for families who want to be sure their child is safe. I appreciate the cooperation and understanding of all Long Reach families as the event unfolded and we were receiving and relaying information," he added. "Looking ahead, our focus remains on tending to the needs and wellbeing of our students and staff. Support staff, including those from the crisis intervention team, will continue to be present and available to support those who need to speak with somebody."