2 arrested after 17-year-old stabbed at Meade High School

ANNE AUNDEL CO., Md. - A 17-year-old student was injured in a school fight that led to a reported stabbing, according to Anne Arundel County authorities.

The incident was reported just after 10 a.m. Thursday at Meade High School. Chief Amal Awad with the Anne Arundel Police Department said a school resource officer reported the stabbing and immediately requested emergency services.

School goes on lockdown

What we know:

The victim is a 17-year-old male student who was found in the hallway of the school. He was transported to Shock Trauma in Baltimore, where Chief Awad said his condition remains "stable, but serious."

"I’m asking the community to wrap their arms around this young man, his family, and that we all do our part to assist [Superintendent] Dr. Bedell in ensuring the safety of our students. Children should be free to come to school and learn and not fear of being violently assaulted or harmed," Awad said.

According to Awad, the incident was isolated.

"I would also say that although we are working on identities, we want to provide facts to you all. We do know that more than likely, they were part of the student population," she said.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell said the incident happened after a class change.

"What I can tell you was this school responded to the procedure of moving into a lockdown in process of what our textbooks dictate they have to do," Dr. Bedell said.

READ MORE: Meade High School under lockdown due to stabbing investigation: police

What's happened before

Violence Prevention Efforts:

The same school district introduced an initiative in early 2023 inviting the public to volunteer at the schools after completing a complimentary background check and training. The idea was to encourage more involvement from the community. Bedell said while it’s not clear whether any volunteers were present at the school Thursday, the program is ongoing.

"In order to curtail violence, adult presence can really change things. When we say to the people that we launched BePresent two years ago, which was during my first year as superintendent, we recognize that schools can’t do it alone," he said.

Bedell was also asked about whether this school is equipped with metal detectors. Authorities said Thursday, a weapon has not been recovered; however, due to the nature of call, it may be some kind of edged object.

"I have actually included in our budget, resources…if allocated…to provide not evasive technology to begin the pilot at some of our schools in an effort to curtail students bringing in weapons into our schools. That is part of the FY 26 budget request," he said.

Students left shaken

What Parents Are Saying:

Parents who arrived at the school to pick up their children said while their kids were not injured, it was unnerving to receive the notification from the school.

Daisy Latorre is the mother of a junior at Meade High School.

"My daughter doesn’t like to come to school, because of all the shootings that have been happening. Now this happens, she’s even more scared. She doesn’t want to come back to school," she said. "I think it’s [detectors] needed, because all of the stuff that’s going around in the world, it’s just crazy. It’s just sad that it has to happen for kids to feel safe at school."

Another woman whose grandson attends Meade High School said she supported the initiative to encourage public volunteers.

"Our grandson actually graduates in four months, so that’s something we wouldn’t have to worry about now, but I think it’s a good idea. I think parents  could be more involved with the school," she said. "I’m not sure about the metal detectors but after today’s incident, it’s not a bad option."

Arrests made

New Details:

Just after 9:15 p.m., Fort Meade officials said Anne Arundel County police apprehended two suspects in connection with the stabbing. 

They say the suspects were transferred into the custody of the Anne Arundel County Police. 
 

"AACPD is still investigating the incident," Fort Meade officials wrote in a post on X. "We continue to work with all our partners to ensure the safety and security of everyone."