UPDATE: Freshman apprehended in connection with arsons, faces charges

A female student was apprehended today in connection with three incidents of arson since yesterday afternoon. The student faces a minimum of 10 days' suspension.

Ninth grade assistant principal James Short affirmed that the student was responsible for the three fires that had been set inside girls' bathrooms at the school. "We believe that we have gotten the person who has committed all the fires," he said.

Pete Piringer, media spokesperson for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Department, confirmed that the freshman girl caused $2,000 in damage in the girls' bathroom in the 350s hallway and more than $1,000 in damage in the girls' bathroom in the 250s hallway. The plastic toilet paper dispenser was ignited in the bathroom in the 250s hallway, setting off the ceiling water sprinklers.

The girl is being held in the Montgomery County Juvenile Detention Center in Rockville, said Piringer. She faces three counts of first-degree arson, two counts of first-degree malicious burning, one count of second-degree malicious burning, three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of disrupting a school activity.

In accordance with school policy, administrators and staff are not allowed to disclose the student's personal information.

At 12:46 p.m. today, SGA President Barun Aryal announced over the school's public address system that a student was apprehended in connection with the fires. "After an emergency of this nature, it is important that we continue to support each other and remain strong as a community," Aryal said.