On November 30th, 2023, a shooting occurred near Edmondson Heights Elementary School in Southeast Baltimore, sparking a “reverse alert” at the school.

What happened during the shooting incident

According to Baltimore County police, officers responded to reports of a shooting near the elementary school around 1:30 PM. When police arrived, they did not find any victims at the scene but did recover ballistic evidence indicating that shots had been fired. No suspects have been identified or arrested at this time.

School response and safety procedures

In response to the off-campus shooting, Edmondson Heights Elementary initiated a “reverse alert” procedure. In a reverse alert, the school contacts parents to inform them about an emergency and ensures that dismissal proceeds safely without panic. According to the principal, “The school went into reverse alert to inform parents of the incident and that dismissal would proceed with an increased police presence around the school for added safety.”

Community reaction and ongoing investigation

The shooting, though occurring off school property, has increased fears about school safety among parents and local residents. One parent stated “You just never think something like this could happen so close.” Baltimore County police say their investigation is ongoing and have not provided further details on possible suspects or motives. However, they have sought to reassure the community that both Edmondson Heights Elementary and the surrounding neighborhood remain safe.

Ongoing efforts to improve school safety

In the wake of this incident, Baltimore County officials and school administrators are reviewing safety protocols and procedures. Some options under consideration include:

Increased police presence around schools

The temporary increased police presence around Edmondson Heights Elementary after many parents welcomed the shooting. Officials may choose to station school resource officers or additional patrols near other schools as well.

Upgraded security infrastructure

Some schools may receive funds to upgrade fencing, install new security cameras, or implement single point-of-entry systems to screen visitors carefully. However, others note this should be balanced with maintaining a welcoming student environment.

Revised emergency response plans

Lessons from this “reverse alert” will be used to evaluate how quickly parents can be notified and that dismissal plans ensure student safety. New software/tools may be provided to facilitate rapid mass communication.

Baltimore County leaders have assured the public that school safety remains a top priority. Ongoing discussions will explore preventing and responding to potential threats while preserving each child’s sense of security.