Wootton High School shooting: 16-year-old charged as student returns to stable condition

A student was shot inside Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, on Monday afternoon, Feb. 9, 2026, prompting a lockdown, a large police response, and a rapid reunification process for families. Police say a 16-year-old student suspect was arrested shortly after the gunfire and now faces serious charges, including attempted second-degree murder, as investigators work to determine a motive and how the firearm was obtained.

Officials said the injured student remains in stable condition at a hospital.

What happened inside the school

Police were dispatched to the school at about 2:15 p.m. ET after a report of a shooting. Officers found a 16-year-old male student with a single gunshot wound in a hallway and arranged for immediate transport to an area hospital. The victim was later described as stable.

Authorities said the suspect—also a 16-year-old student—was quickly identified and taken into custody a short time later near the school. Investigators said there was no ongoing threat to public safety once the suspect was arrested.

Charges and upcoming court dates

At a Tuesday update, police said the defendant is charged with attempted second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and multiple firearms-related charges, including possession of a dangerous weapon on school property.

The case is being handled with an adult charging posture, and officials have not released the suspect’s name in their public statements. However, court-related coverage has identified the defendant as Kahlil White-Villatoro; that identification has not been repeated in the official police statements released to the public.

Two near-term court milestones have been scheduled:

• A bond hearing at 1:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

• A preliminary hearing at 9:30 a.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Police said the defendant is being held without bond ahead of the bond hearing.

A second student threatened, police say

In the Tuesday briefing, police said the suspect pointed a gun at a 15-year-old female student before shooting another student. The 15-year-old was not physically injured.

Investigators said they are still examining the relationships—if any—between the defendant and the students involved, along with what led up to the confrontation. They also said they are investigating how the defendant acquired the firearm, a line of inquiry that often involves tracing ownership history, storage practices, and any potential transfers.

Lockdown, reunification, and campus operations

The school was placed on lockdown as a precaution after the shooting. Officials directed families to a reunification site at Robert Frost Middle School for students who were not bus riders, while bus riders were sent home on regular routes. Students were transported to the reunification site beginning around 4:30 p.m. ET.

Classes resumed Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, under heightened attention from families and the broader community. School administrators and local officials have emphasized student support resources in the wake of the incident, as students and staff process the trauma of violence occurring inside a school building.

What investigators are focused on now

Authorities have described the investigation as active. In the days immediately after a school shooting, investigators typically work through several concrete questions that can shape both the criminal case and the public safety response.

Key takeaways:

• Police say the suspect was arrested shortly after the shooting and there is no continuing public threat.

• The victim, a 16-year-old student, remains in stable condition.

• Investigators are working to establish motive, any relationships between the students involved, and how the firearm was obtained.

• Court proceedings begin with a bond hearing on Feb. 11 and a preliminary hearing on Feb. 20 (both ET).

The broader school-safety conversation

The shooting has renewed local debate over how schools should detect and deter weapons on campus, including the effectiveness of entry screening, campus supervision, and the role of technology and reporting systems. Officials have pointed to ongoing evaluations of additional safety measures, but any policy changes—especially those involving student privacy, building design, or staffing—tend to take months, not days.

For now, investigators and school leaders are balancing two urgent priorities: accountability through the court process and restoring a sense of safety for students returning to class.

Sources consulted: Montgomery County Department of Police, City of Rockville, Associated Press, WTOP