Individual behind bomb threats directed at Blair identified as 12-year-old

Montgomery County Police have identified the source of Oct. 13, 16, and 25 email bomb threats directed at Montgomery Blair High School as a 12-year-old individual, according to a statement released today by MCPD chief Marcus Jones. The individual admitted responsibility for the threats, but cannot face charges since children under the age of 13 can only be prosecuted for offenses that qualify as a "crime of violence."

Albert Einstein High School in Kensington and Springbrook High School in Silver Spring received bomb threats today, contributing to the alarming rise in these threats directed at MCPS schools.

According to MCPS, at least five schools (Montgomery Blair HS, Richard Montgomery HS, Oak View ES, Albert Einstein HS, Springbrook HS) have been targeted in the past two weeks. The Blair PTSA is hosting a Zoom meeting on Monday, Oct. 30 with MCPS security officials to respond to the community's questions about these threats.

Jones expressed disappointment that the responses to these unfounded threats used limited law enforcement resources.

"Dispatching officers and K-9 units to investigate these threats, especially when our resources are already stretched thin, diverted our personnel away from other pressing calls for service. This diversion of resources is unacceptable, and it jeopardizes the safety of our community."