Tonight, my heart is heavy.

As a Wootton parent, I know the fear that set in today: the unanswered call, the text that didn’t come through right away, the unbearable wait in reunification lines that stretched on far too long, and the emotion of finally seeing your child. No parent should ever have to experience that.

I am deeply grateful to the Rockville City Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, and every first responder who ran toward danger and worked tirelessly to protect our children and bring families back together. Their professionalism and courage mattered more than words can say.

But today cannot simply be absorbed and moved past. School safety must be the top priority for our County without qualification and without delay. That means real coordination, real resources, and real accountability at every level. Our students, educators, and families deserve nothing less.

Tonight, I’m holding my son tighter than usual and thinking about every Wootton and MCPS parent who is doing the same.