By Tammy Ashworth and Katie Rosenberger (October 7, 2002)

George Mason students and staff were in a state of alert today following the shooting of a 13-year-old student at Benjamin Tasker Middle School in Bowie, MD. As a result of mounting concerns and the fact that the shooting might have had a potential link to the recent sniper attacks that have killed 6 and wounded another in the DC metropolitan area this past week, all outdoor activities, including PE classes and after-school athletic practices, were relocated. In addition, police were stationed at every school in the City of Falls Church, all by order of school superintendent Mary Ellen Shaw.

Despite Prince George’s County Police Chief Gerald Wilson’s assertion that, "at this time we do not know for certain that this case is related to any other case that has occurred recently in the Washington metropolitan area," City authorities took every possible precaution to ensure student safety. Superintendent Shaw worked closely with Falls Church City Police Chief Murray and Mr. McKeever, city manager, as well as with other school systems, in making the decision to restrict school activities.
 

Football players, preparing for Saturday's  upcoming  home game, had to settle for a meeting in the gym as all  athletic  practices were moved inside as a precautionary  measure following the random  shooting of a middle  school student in Bowie, Maryland.  (Photo by John Rufino)

Following Mr. Snee’s school-wide announcement of the decision during third block, most PE teachers were forced to "completely change" their planned activities. Students in trailers were escorted to and from the building as quickly as possible, and in the middle school, trailers were closed after third block. George Mason students shared reactions to this morning’s events. "It makes me feel paranoid," said senior Kristin Sommers, "especially if there is a connection to the sniper shootings. All the victims are ordinary people who were doing ordinary things, You never know who could be next."

Montgomery County schools are currently in code blue status; all outside activities have been canceled and students must stay indoors. Crisis counselors are also on the scene to comfort affected students.

"I hope tomorrow is just a normal school day," said Principal Bob Snee. "But I don’t know. We’re going to have to wait and see if there are any connections. At this point we just don’t know."