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  "path": "/news/parents-school-leaders-meet-after-student-injured-shooting-wootton-high-school",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-11T02:08:21.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.fox5dc.com",
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    "**16-year-old charged after shooting classmate at Wootton High School**",
    "**Suspect accused of threatening second student before Wootton High School shooting**"
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  "textContent": "There is now a second victim in yesterday's Wootton High School shooting.\n\nPolice said on Tuesday that the suspect had the gun out inside the school some time before shooting a fellow student.\n\nParents and school leaders met on Tuesday to address the shocking incident.\n\nAt 2:15 p.m. on Monday, several law enforcement agencies responded to Wootton High School for a report of a shooting.\n\nWhen they arrived, officers found a 16-year-old boy lying in a hallway with a gunshot wound. He was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.\n\nA short time later, police were able to identify the alleged gunman as 16-year-old Khalil White Villatoro and he was taken into custody.\n\n**READ MORE:****16-year-old charged after shooting classmate at Wootton High School**\n\n\"They acted without hesitation. The first arriving officers from all three police agencies, without due regard for their own safety, entered that school and they used their training based on the active shooter protocol. They did not wait in the parking lot. They did not wait for backup,\" said Chief Jason West with the Rockville City Police Department.\n\nPolice said the victim who was shot is an acquaintance of White Villatoro, but they are still investigating the nature of that relationship and the motive.\n\nThey also confirmed the polymer 80 9 mm handgun was a ghost gun — meaning it did not have a traceable serial number required by federal law.\n\nPolice say they were very confident shortly after the incident of whom the suspect was and located him in close proximity to the school.\n\nThe gun was not found at the school but somewhere off campus late yesterday evening.\n\nIt’s now known that Villatoro pointed a gun at a 15-year-old girl at school, who was also a fellow student earlier in the day, before shooting his 16-year-old classmate.\n\nThe teenage girl didn’t suffer any injuries, but the student who was shot was rushed to the hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.\n\nFOX 5 asked MCPS how it was possible that a student flashed a gun and pointed it at another student before the shooting happened and was still permitted to be on campus.\n\nThey have declined to respond.\n\n**READ MORE:****Suspect accused of threatening second student before Wootton High School shooting**\n\nMCPS officials held a meeting with Wootton High School parents Tuesday afternoon in the school's auditorium.\n\nWhile school was open on Tuesday, there was no classroom instruction, and many students stayed home.\n\nBrian Rabin, president of the Wootton High School PTSA, says this school community is understandably shaken.\n\n\"We were emotionally drained after last night. Our kids didn't get out of the reunification until very late. Our teachers were there late. They need time to process. They were not ready to return today, to come back to school — and I think that's teachers and students. But my daughter, she was not ready to come back today,\" Rabin said.\n\n\"We were really concerned as parents to have teachers and students back in school without a chance to process. And I know that they have professional mental health professionals that are there to support the students and teachers, everybody needs to process in their own way. And so my daughter did she didn't feel that she could be there today,\" he added.\n\nFor the many students who did not come back to school on Tuesday, MCPS says those will be excused absences. Those who did return had several resources made available to them.\n\nHere's the text of the message sent to Wootton High School families on Tuesday.\n\n _Dear Wootton High School Families,_\n\n\n _As we conclude our first day following Monday's traumatic events, we want to explain why being together at school today mattered._\n\n\n _In moments like this, connection is an essential part of healing and accessing necessary supports. Additionally, today was not about academics or resuming \"normal\" routines—it was about ensuring that students and staff were surrounded by helpful adults, mental health professionals, and peers, rather than processing a distressing event in isolation or through social media without support._\n\n\n_From the start of the day, counselors, social workers, psychologists, administrators, and central office staff were present and available to listen, support, and meet students and staff where they were emotionally. Some needed a conversation; others needed a routine, and all responses were respected. Mental health supports will remain available not just this week, but in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Trauma does not follow a predictable timeline, and reactions can change or resurface over time. Our commitment is to have key supportive people present and responsive for as long as that support is needed._\n\n\n_As school and district leaders, we need to share our deep gratitude for our teachers and staff. Candidly, our teachers and staff were amazing today. Many came to school today carrying their own emotions and concerns; in fact, some began to share them at an early-morning staff meeting. Despite this, they showed up for students. Their willingness to prioritize student well-being during such a difficult time speaks volumes about who they are and the strength of this community._\n\n\n_There was indeed a high absence rate at school today. This is completely understandable, but we want our students back; they are part of our community. Excused absences will be honored for one more day (Wednesday) because we know that every student’s needs are different, and processing yesterday’s events will be different for everyone._\n\n\n_Are we safe here at Wootton? Yes, and here is why._\n\n\n_Over the coming days, we will have increased police and school security presence. Today, an already scheduled installation of additional security cameras and electronic door locks was begun. More importantly, we at Wootton High School are here and present to keep us all safe._\n\n\n_While at home, we continue to encourage families to talk with their children about the value of staying connected to supportive adults and peers, whether at school or at home, particularly during moments like this. We’ve included helpful resources for those conversations at the end of this letter._\n\n\n_We held two family information sessions today, during which we heard from Rockville Police reviewed their response on Monday and also spoke about the ongoing investigation. MCPS Student and Staff support experts spoke to their work today and the services provided, from the beginning of the day to the end of the day. Again these staff will be back on Wednesday to continue their work in support of students and staff._\n\n\n _Sincerely,_\n\n_Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D., M.B.A._\n_Superintendent of Schools_\n _Dr. Joseph Bostic_\n _Principal_\n _Thomas S. Wootton High School_\n\nWhite Villatoro was originally scheduled to appear in court for a bond hearing Tuesday afternoon, because the processing for his detention went past 12 a.m., the hearing was pushed to tomorrow at 1 p.m.\n\nHe's currently being charged as an adult because in Maryland, if you commit attempted first or second degree murder or use a handgun in the commission of those crimes, the original jurisdiction is in the adult court.\n\nState's Attorney John McCarthy pointed out that the state legislature is debating the wisdom of that requirement this week.\n\nWhite Villatoro is being held without bond.",
  "title": "Parents, school leaders meet after student injured in shooting at Wootton High School"
}