‘Palpable fear’: Bethesda parents keep kids home after graffiti references Sandy Hook

Some parents kept their children home from school after graffiti referenced the Sandy Hook school shooter.

The discovery of graffiti outside Bradley Hills Elementary in Bethesda with the name of the shooter who killed 26 people in 2012 sparked fear among many parents, Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson said.

At least 350 parents attended a quickly organized virtual meeting on the graffiti and the response, said Friedson, who represents the neighborhood around the school and is running for county executive.

“It really speaks to the alarm, the level of concern, the amount of palpable fear that there is,” he said.

The graffiti vandalism was discovered Saturday, about a week after another disturbing incident at the school: A shed on the property was burned in what is being investigated as a case of arson. It wasn’t immediately clear if there was any connection between the two incidents. They are being investigated through the fire marshal’s office, Second District police Cmdr. Amy Daum said.

She urged community members to contact police with information, no matter how insignificant they think it could be. Daum also asked people to be careful not to post or share rumors and unverified information.

“One of the things that we’re seeing really driving up that level of fear in this particular community and this particular case is the spread and the very fast spread of misinformation,” she said.

What’s being done to keep Bradley Hills Elementary safe

“There has been an all-hands-on-deck approach to what has been an extremely serious situation,” Friedson said.

In addition to an increased police presence, the school system said additional security cameras have been ordered, and their installation will be expedited. A tree that was blocking an existing camera has been removed.

Lighting will be added to support the cameras, and there will be increased monitoring by the system’s electronic detection service. A chain and lock have been ordered to secure the playground.

In an acknowledgement of families’ deep concern, the school’s principal sent an email to families saying absences will be excused this week. Parents must still report them.