Montgomery County Public Schools released a 30-page after action report concerning the April 29 shooting at James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring.
During the school day, a fight in the parking lot involved students and one person not affiliated with the school. The fight began when a student hit a water bottle out of another student’s hand, according to the report. The student holding the water bottle punched his assailant. Other students then intervened.
According to the report, during the ensuing melee, a firearm was discharged. The driver of a Kia sedan picked up the firearm but placed it on the ground when ordered by a security assistant. The assistant then detained the driver while other members of the security team secured the firearm.
One student was driven by fellow students to a nearby hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound, according to the report.
While the report did not list any major flaws on how the incident was handled, it did make some recommendations.
The report notes: “There is a need to reinforce expectations for the timely activation of a formal Incident Command System (ICS) once a firearm is confirmed or reasonably suspected on campus. Earlier establishment of a structured command framework will improve coordination, clarify roles, and support more efficient decision-making during rapidly evolving situations.”
Importantly, the report recommended family members be asked not to come to the school “unless explicitly directed.”The need for better timing of communications to staff, community and the media was also on the list.
The expansion of camera coverage to include exterior areas with high-traffic and low-visibility like parking lots, athletic fields and bus loops was proposed.
Rather than relying on wi-fi areas which can have dead zones, the school should have transmitted more on its digital radio system. A better exterior public address system was also recommended.
