Shockwaves were sent through the Harford County community as there was a fatal shooting at Joppatowne High School on the afternoon of Friday, September 6.

The altercation itself was between two students at the school. The incident happened at around 12:30 pm in a school bathroom when the two students got into an argument that turned deadly. The victim was rushed to Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries soon after.

“[The frequency of school shootings] really bothers me,” commented Dean of Students Christina Presberry. “I’m really disturbed by it like anyone would be. It gives me a heightened sense of awareness here at JC.”

The timing of this school shooting is especially unfortunate because, only two days prior, the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia took the lives of two students and two teachers who were shot by a fellow student.

The tragedy at JHS, being located so close in proximity to the school, especially hits close to home.

Ms. Presberry said, “It scared me to be honest; it scared me because we always talk about school shootings around the world, but Joppatowne is at our doorstep. It makes me even more eager for plans to protect and provide for our community”

Class safety meetings were held in the auditorium in September to meet with deans to discuss how to keep buildings safe by following rules like not propping doors and being sure to report unfamiliar people who are in the building.

Importance will be placed on evacuation drills to make sure they happen as safely and smoothly as possible in case of emergency.

On September 9 students were asked to wear purple accents to the uniforms and were given purple ribbons to show support for the Joppa community.