Following a , officials have decided to reopen the school on its normal schedule Tuesday.
Students and staff were evacuated Monday morning after a in the school's cafeteria, police said. A 17-year-old student was shot and injured, before the shooter was detained. Police said a —identified by witnesses as —grabbed the shooter and stopped the attack.
Through the afternoon, students, teachers and parents gathered on either side of police tape, along Ebenezer Road, between the high school, Perry Hall Middle School and Perry Hall Square Shopping Center. Some wept, while dozens frantically talked and texted on cell phones.
Watch reaction from students in the articles, and
Officials announced the school's planned reopening shortly before 5:30 p.m. Monday.
"Extra security will be present on the campus, and the school system’s Traumatic Loss Team will be available to provide counseling and other support," a school system press release stated.
Dr. S. Dallas Dance, Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, who was hired to his position over the summer break, released the following the statement:
What happened earlier today is a shock and a tragedy. Speaking on behalf of the entire BCPS community, our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family.
This school year, we expect to educate more than 106,000 students in our schools. The safety of students and staff is our paramount concern and priority. Schools must be safe to be conducive for teaching and learning.
Our schools have emergency plans in place that are updated annually. Perry Hall High School followed its plan and cooperated with police.
As challenging as today was, I am extremely proud of Principal George Roberts and the school community. Students responded maturely, and the faculty, through its quick intervention, saved lives and captured the assailant.
We will work together to make this the best school year for Team BCPS.
