As of 4/23/2026: No statement, release or information has been released by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.
A statement released on 4/22/2026 by Great Mills High School Principal:
Hello Hornet Nation,
We are writing to inform you of a significant altercation that occurred on campus at 1:02 pm on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, involving several students.
The incident was promptly addressed by staff, and the situation was contained quickly. All involved students were assessed for immediate safety needs, and appropriate notifications were initiated.
Our preliminary review indicates the altercation was sparked by a situation that occurred a few days ago and grew through social media posts. This continued during lunch, a time when cell phone use is permitted. Consistent with the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, the school will impose appropriate disciplinary measures following our investigative process.
Parents/guardians of the students directly involved were contacted individually.
If conduct related to this matter potentially violates the law, any criminal investigation or charges will be handled by law enforcement. We will fully cooperate with any such investigation as required.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. This is a clear example of students not using their resources. As a staff, we were unaware of any problems until this incident.
We strongly encourage parents and students to notify us of problems so we can intervene before they escalate to this level. We will continue to monitor the situation, implement any necessary safety measures, and reinforce expectations for respectful behavior both on and off campus. We also encourage families to speak with their students about responsible social media use and the real-world impact online interactions can have on school climate.
Everyone should also be aware that the privilege of using cell phones at school is limited to high school. This privilege can be taken away if we don’t make better choices with our cell phone use during school hours.
If you have information that may assist our review, or if you have questions or concerns, please contact Principal Dothard at [email protected]. Thank you for your partnership in maintaining a safe, supportive, and orderly learning environment.
Respectful, Beejay Dothard, Principal, Great Mills High School
