Are you a survivor of sexual assault or abuse that occurred years ago? The State of Maryland took a significant step toward justice for you by passing the Child Victims Act of 2023. This act empowers victims to hold their abusers accountable, regardless of the time that has passed. In collaboration with Sarah Klein from MSF, SBWD Law is dedicated to supporting survivors and ensuring their rights are protected. Contact us for a free consultation and let us stand with you.

Over $200 Million In Verdicts & Settlements On Behalf Of Our Clients

Baltimore Law Blog

Threats To Harm Students Taken Seriously

by | Mar 20, 2012 | Wrongful Death

Recently a 19-year-old boy was making threats to go on a shooting rampage at the University of Maryland. Campus police were able to trace the messages back to the boy’s computer and police arrested him. A subsequent search of his dorm room and his parents’ home found no guns, but officials feel that they need to take every threat seriously and this incident illustrates that.

Virginia Tech was in the news because of a similar incident in 2007. The parents brought a suit against the school because they felt that the school did not take threats seriously from a student who shot two students in the morning of April 16, 2007 and then went on to kill 30 students and faculty. Police felt that after the initial killings in the morning, that the shootings were an isolated domestic incident and didn’t warn anyone at the school. In this instance, they were wrong and 30 lives were lost.

While these cases don’t happen every day, investigators involved with these types of threats have found one common thread – at least one person knew of the planned attack before it occurred and did not report it.

The 19-year-old who made the threats was charged with a misdemeanor and is banned from the University of Maryland campus. He is also undergoing a psychiatric evaluation. While no one was injured because of his threats, police feel that it was a success to get this man the help he needs, while it protected the college community.

The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.