Students facing assault charges after alleged attack at Montgomery County middle school

GAITHERSBURG, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - Four middle school students are facing second-degree assault charges after allegedly attacking a fellow student inside Ridgeview Middle School in Gaithersburg.

The school system says the attack took place Wednesday inside the boy's locker room.

According to a letter sent home to parents, the assault was reported to school personnel by other students who witnessed the attack and may have involved "bullying, harassment and intimidation" -- both physical and verbal. The letter goes on to say the assault began just before the seventh period.

Because the students charged are juveniles, police were unwilling to say anything about the assault other than the four boys are all 12 and 13 years old.

It is unclear if a weapon was used or if any of the attack was captured by surveillance cameras.

Police were called to the school on Thursday and began their investigation.

Parents FOX 5 talked to outside the school Friday had nothing but praise for the principal and the staff, but expressed concern over what happened.

"I'm sure that these bullying situations happen at every school," one parent said. "It depends on what the administration is doing to take care of it and if they felt the need to call the police and it is their judgment call right?"

"I'm glad Montgomery County is stepping in and doing what needs to be done however I have had one child go through the school and another one in there now, and have complete confidence in the administration and that they will handle everything accordingly and they will be on top of it," another parent said.