Montgomery County Police Department officials confirmed that a reported bomb threat prompted the evacuation of Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, on Wednesday morning, temporarily disrupting classes and raising safety concerns among students, parents, and staff. Authorities later determined that the threat was not credible, allowing normal school operations to resume by the afternoon.
According to MCPD, the reported threat was received at approximately 10:24 a.m., at which time officers immediately ordered the evacuation of the campus as a precautionary measure. Students and faculty were instructed to leave the school grounds while law enforcement worked to assess the situation and determine whether the threat posed any real danger. The swift response was part of standard safety protocols designed to protect students and school personnel.
By 11:02 a.m., police officials announced that investigators believed the incident was likely the result of a “swatting” call. Swatting refers to a false emergency report intended to trigger a large law enforcement response, often causing unnecessary panic and disruption. Despite this preliminary assessment, authorities maintained the evacuation until a thorough search of the entire campus could be completed.
Montgomery Blair High School spans approximately 42 acres, requiring officers to systematically clear each floor and area of the school before declaring it safe. Once the search was completed and no hazardous materials or devices were found, MCPD officially cleared the building. The school district then announced that regular classroom instruction would resume for the remainder of the day.
The bomb threat interruption added to a series of recent disruptions for students in Montgomery County Public Schools. Classes had only resumed the day before following closures caused by a significant winter storm in January. On Tuesday, students returned on a two-hour delayed schedule, marking the district’s first day back after the extended weather-related shutdown. Blair High School also began classes two hours late on Wednesday as Code Yellow safety procedures and delayed opening plans remained in effect across the district.
Unfortunately, this was not the first time Montgomery Blair High School has dealt with such a situation. In October 2023, law enforcement responded to and ultimately cleared a similar bomb threat at the same school. The recurring incidents have renewed conversations around school security, emergency preparedness, and the serious consequences of making false threats.
Montgomery County police officials emphasized that all reported threats are treated seriously, regardless of their initial credibility, to ensure the safety of students and staff. The investigation into the source of the reported threat remains ongoing, as authorities continue efforts to prevent future disruptions to school safety and learning environments.
