Blair under lockdown after mistaken reports of gunshots across the street

At 1:15 pm this afternoon, Blair principal Renay Johnson announced a school-wide lockdown after police reports of gunshots across the street from Blair's main entrance. After further investigation by Montgomery County Police and the MCPS Department of Safety and Security, gunshot reports were proved to be mistaken, as a result of an incident involving fireworks. The lockdown was lifted 12 minutes later.

In a PA announcement, Johnson described the reason for the lockdown. “There was no emergency on campus. The emergency was at the businesses across the street, they called 911, 911 called us, and told us…we went into a lockdown,” Johnson said at 1:29 pm. 

Blair transitioned to a shelter in place at around 1:29 pm, which was lifted at 1:42 pm.  

Johnson emphasized that the lockdown was necessary as available information pointed to a possible active shooter situation. "We take every threat seriously, so when we hear the sound of gunshots, we go into lockdown," Johnson said over a PA announcement at 1:40 pm.

"Police and the Department of Safety and Security with MCPS contacted us to say there were not any gunshots – it was fireworks,” Johnson detailed.

Families will receive a letter with information regarding the emergency, and staff can receive further details in a voluntary staff meeting later today at 3:30 pm. 

This story will be updated as events unfold.