WATCH: Fight ends with shots fired near Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
Shots fired during fight near Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
We’re learning more about a Wednesday morning fight near Bethesda Chevy-Chase High School that led to gunfire and forced the school to go on lockdown for almost four hours. The fight broke out at Chase Avenue Urban Park, about two minutes away from the school. FOX 5's Nana Sentuo-Bonsu has more.
Video shows brawl near Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
A fight near Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School led to reported gunfire Wednesday, prompting a lockdown. FOX 5's Homa Bash has the story.
BETHESDA, Md. - A brawl near Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School led to reports of gunfire Wednesday morning, triggering a lockdown as police responded to the scene.
Shooting near Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School under investigation
The backstory:
Montgomery County police said the incident occurred around 10 a.m. in the 4700 block of Chase Avenue.
According to Admiral Security Services, multiple individuals dressed in black and wearing masks were involved in the large fight when gunshots were reportedly fired. No injuries have been confirmed, and authorities have not identified any suspects.
BETHESDA, MD - MAY 16: Bethesda Chevy Chase High School students wait hang out on a balcony at nearby apartments after a bomb threat was called into the school in Bethesda, MD on May 16, 2024. (Photo by Robb Hill for The Washington Post via Getty Ima
The high school entered lockdown at 10:57 a.m. after school officials reviewed a video of the fight and determined that some of the individuals involved were B-CC students.
Administrators worked with Montgomery County police and Maryland-National Capital Park Police to assess any potential threats inside the building.
School officials later transitioned the lockdown to a shelter-in-place at 1:21 p.m. after confirming that students inside the school were safe.
The lockdown was lifted, and students were dismissed at their usual 2:30 p.m. bell. All after-school activities were canceled.
What they're saying:
In a message to the school community, B-CC Principal Shelton Mooney stated that additional security and mental health support would be available for students and staff in the coming days. Extra MCPS security personnel and an increased police presence will be on campus to ensure safety for the rest of the week.
Counselors from the MCPS Crisis Team will also be available to help students process the event.
"It's a difficult situation and there is never any way to handle anything like this, like a lockdown at school, frankly, anything at a high school that is going to make every parent happy," said B-CC PTSA President Laurie Bolt. "I understand as a parent first and foremost how upsetting it is, but at the same time, I don't know how a school is supposed to prevent a fight at a park,"
Authorities are continuing their investigation and have not located any weapons or shell casings at the scene.
Park Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward and contact them at 301-929-278 or CrimeTips@mncparkpolice.org.
Read the full letter sent home to families below: