Suitland High School shooting: 16-year-old student charged with attempted murder

Parents concerned for safety following Suitland HS shooting

Parents attended a safety townhall meeting Wednesday hosted by school leaders to share their concerns in the wake of a shooting outside the school last week.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with a shooting outside of Suitland High School in early December, according to police.

Prince George's County Police announced on Wednesday that the 16-year-old student turned himself in on Tuesday.

Student injured in shooting outside Suitland High School

A 14-year-old is in the hospital after a shooting at Suitland High School Thursday morning. Prince George's County police are investigating the incident that took place outside the school, but still on the property. FOX 5 has learned that a ninth-grader is in custody. FOX 5's Nana-Sentuo Bonsu reports from the school with the latest on the investigation.

The incident happened on December 8 around 10 a.m. outside the high school located in the 5200 block of Silver Hill Road.

According to police, a group of students got into an argument that turned into a physical fight, and during the altercation, the 16-year-old pulled a gun and fired multiple times.

The victim, who was a 14-year-old student, what strike by the gun fire. The assigned School Resource Officers immediately rendered aid to the victim, who was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

The 16-year-old suspect is being charged as an adult in the case. His charges include attempted first degree murder, first degree assault and gun offenses.

On the day of the shooting, police announced that a 14-year-old boy was arrested after the incident. Police said, after further investigation, they determined the boy was not involved in the shooting, and he was released.

The news about a new arrest in connection to the shooting comes as a surprise to some parents.

"I heard that they arrested someone else was tonight. We thought the situation was under control on Thursday," said Tonya Brooks.

Brooks and about 50 other parents attended a safety townhall meeting inside the school auditorium hosted by school leaders.

Brooks and others left feeling frustrated.

"I came here tonight as a concerned parent to make sure it's a two-way street that if the school is saying we need to do more or be a partnership, but it doesn't feel that way," Brooks adds.

She says it feel like the school is playing the blame game.

During the safety meeting a leader with the district did note the shared frustration in regard to the shooting but they also asked parents to do their part.

They went on to share that they are looking at different ways to boost morale throughout the school but Brooks says it's hard to believe.

"Y'all need to get it together because what you're going to do is lose kids and their interest in education," she adds.

School leaders say they will continue this safety discussion at their next PTSA meeting on Tuesday December 20 at 6:30 p.m.