In the early morning hours of Saturday, January 20, 2024, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office (SMCSO)  Criminal Intelligence and Vice Narcotics Units, in collaboration with personnel from the Criminal Investigations Division and the Patrol Division, conducted a search and seizure warrant service on a residence in the 46000 block of Radford Lane, Lexington Park, MD, for purposes of locating a juvenile suspect wanted in connection with a recent incident at Great Mills High School (GMHS). Detectives arrested the juvenile and recovered a handgun.

 

The search warrant was issued following an investigation initiated by St. Mary's County Public Schools' Safety and Security staff on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, when school staff observed and approached four unauthorized individuals walking the hallways. After being confronted by GMHS staff, the four suspects fled. St. Mary's County Public Schools administrators and Safety and Security staff reported the trespassing incident to the School Resource Officer.

 

Following interviews and a review of video surveillance, SMCSO Detectives were able to identify the subjects. Additional investigation led to the discovery of photographs posted on a social media platform by the juvenile and depicted the involved individuals posing in various locations in the school; one photo showed the suspect potentially holding a handgun.

 

Sheriff Steve Hall said, "I applaud the professional response by school safety and security staff and the Sheriff's Office members who collaborated on this case. This incident is a stark reminder of the challenges we are facing with our youth. The ease with which children, barely old enough to obtain a driver's license, can get and use weapons is simply unacceptable."

 

The juvenile was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center to be charged as an adult with weapons-related offenses.