A recent armed robbery took place on the 5500 block of Baltimore Avenue down the street from DeMatha’s campus. Two armed suspects, one carrying a rifle and the other carrying a handgun, approached the driver of a Brinks armored truck. Shots were fired and the suspects fled the scene. No injuries have been reported and the suspects have not been identified.
DeMatha’s administration has plans set in place for an event like this. Mr. Rogers, DeMatha’s head of security, said after the armed robbery took place he and other members of the administration called the Hyattsville Police Department about the suspect’s location.
After hearing the suspects had fled the town, no shutdowns were required and students and faculty carried on like a regular school day. Mr. Rogers said if the suspects had not left Hyattsville, the protocol would have been to get all students inside and go on a school-wide lockdown.
Sophomore Jay Washington said, “When I first heard about the armed robbery, I was somewhat worried about how close to the school it was.” Other students said they could hear the shots from the senior parking lot.
It is never expected that things like this would take place. But, in the event they do happen, policies are in place to ensure everyone’s safety.
