Wootton High School remains open after school shooting threat

Ya-Marie Sesay
·1 min read
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ROCKVILLE, Md. (DC News Now) — Students made their way to Thomas S. Wootton High School on Friday morning, a day after a student was arrested and charged for planning to commit a school shooting.

Montgomery County police say 18-year-old high school student Alex Ye wrote a 129-page “manifesto” about a student committing a shooting at a school. Court documents reveal Ye put a disclaimer at the beginning of the manifesto calling it “fiction” but police don’t believe that was the case.

“I feel more protected since they were arrested,” said student Shreyas Ganeshan.

“I feel safe but think other people are going to be more cautious, especially parents,” said another student, Chase Mitchell.

Montgomery County police arrest high school student accused of planning school shooting

Back in March, Ye shared the manifesto with someone in which he detailed and strategized about committing a school shooting. The person recognized the main character had similarities to Ye, such as details of a transgender person being bullied in school.

Ye also wrote about targeting an elementary school and said he wanted to be famous.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) said Ye had not been in school in person since the Fall of 2022 – he’s been taking online classes since.

In a statement, MCPS said:

“Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is aware of the arrest of a student from Thomas S. Wootton High School by the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). The charges are extremely serious, involving alleged threats to harm others.”

The school system has already increased security and will continue to do so. They also have more counselors, psychologists and social workers.

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