Gaithersburg, MD — A 17-year-old student suffered a gunshot wound after a fight broke out in the parking lot of Blake High School on Wednesday morning, prompting the arrest of a 19-year-old Silver Spring man now charged with first-degree assault. The shooting unfolded around 11:29 a.m. on school grounds in the 300 block of Norwood Road in Cloverly, according to the Montgomery County Department of Police.
The injured teen later arrived at a nearby hospital, and investigators say the gun discharged during the altercation, turning what began as a fight involving several individuals into a shooting that left one person wounded.
Fight escalates into gunfire on campus
A Montgomery County police Community Engagement Officer who was already on campus was flagged down as the fight unfolded in the school parking lot. Montgomery County Public Schools security staff and the officer responded immediately to break up the altercation.
During the chaos, a handgun was reportedly thrown to the ground and recovered by school security personnel. Detectives later determined that the firearm discharged during the fight, striking the 17-year-old.
Authorities have not released details about the severity of the teen’s injuries, but confirmed he was involved in the altercation that led to the shooting.
Arrest and ongoing investigation
Police identified 19-year-old Djibia Gombo, of Silver Spring, as a suspect in the case. He has been arrested and charged with first-degree assault in connection to the incident.
Gombo is currently being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he is awaiting a bond hearing.
Investigators say the case remains active as they work to determine exactly how the firearm discharged and whether additional individuals will face charges.
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Key Points
• 17-year-old injured in shooting during fight at Blake High School parking lot
• Handgun recovered on scene after being thrown to the ground during altercation
• 19-year-old Djibia Gombo charged with first-degree assault; more charges possible
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Questions remain about how the gun fired
Detectives have not said who brought the firearm to the school or what led to it being discharged during the fight. The sequence of events—particularly how the weapon went off—remains a central focus of the investigation.
The presence of a Community Engagement Officer on campus at the time allowed for a rapid response, but the incident highlights how quickly situations can escalate when weapons are introduced into otherwise routine conflicts.
Montgomery County Department of Police officials are continuing to interview witnesses and review evidence gathered at the scene.
Anyone with information about the fight or shooting is urged to contact the department’s 4th District station at 240-773-5500.
Broader safety concerns on school grounds
While school security successfully recovered the firearm and helped contain the situation, the incident raises ongoing concerns about safety on school campuses and how weapons are making their way into student environments.
Blake High School, located in Cloverly, serves a large student population, and incidents involving violence—especially those involving firearms—carry immediate consequences not only for those directly involved but for the broader school community.
Officials have not announced whether additional security measures will be implemented following Wednesday’s incident.
What happens next
As the investigation continues, authorities say additional charges are pending, suggesting more individuals involved in the fight could face legal consequences.
Gombo remains in custody awaiting his bond hearing, and detectives are working to establish a full timeline of events leading up to the shooting.
The condition of the 17-year-old victim has not been publicly updated, and police have not released his identity.
The case remains under active investigation as officials work to determine accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.
