Maryland school shooting suspect had a record, sheriff say. But laws keep student information private

BALTIMORE — A push from parents to get more information about criminal records of students attending public schools alongside their children follows the fatal shooting at Joppatowne High School on Friday, but privacy laws keep those records tightly wrapped.

Harford County Public Schools are not legally allowed to inform parents about charges against students, and in some cases, state law prohibits police from telling school officials about offenses committed by students who attend their schools.

Student Warren Curtis Grant, 15, was shot inside the school and pronounced dead later Friday. Jaylen Prince, a 16-year-old Joppatowne High student, is charged as an adult in the shooting.

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said Prince was known to police and that the sheriff’s office had handled more than 10 “incidents” since 2022 in which Prince was listed as a victim, witness or suspect.

Gahler didn’t elaborate on what those incidents entailed. Because Prince is younger than 18, any prior encounters with law enforcement and his defense attorney are not publicly available.

Gahler, a Republican, has bemoaned some of the state’s juvenile justice rules, stating at a news conference following the shooting, “There are families of every other student at that school, and the parents of the shooter, who have a right to know why we all stand here today.”

Harford County Councilman Aaron Penman, a Republican and a sergeant in the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, also voiced frustration with state law. He said that although privacy for minors is important, “at what point does a minor’s actions reach the level that trumps privacy for the protection of others?”

The state’s Department of Juvenile Services calls confidentiality protections a “hallmark” of the juvenile justice system.

“The General Assembly has recognized that, with some exceptions, delinquent behavior by young people should not negatively impact their ability to succeed later in life,” the department said in a statement regarding the case.

Legislation passed last year states that law enforcement officials can only inform school systems of “reportable offenses” that occur outside school. These range from violent crime to vehicular offenses.

Harford schools’ manager of communications, Jillian Lader, said in an email Monday that after the school system has been informed of charges against a student, school officials cannot legally disclose the information to parents.

“The law requires charges to be filed separately from the student’s school record to further keep the information confidential,” Lader said. “Parents would only know about a student’s legal involvement by viewing Maryland Judiciary Case Search online if the student was charged as an adult or (is) 18 years or older.”

When asked why Prince was not referred to Harford’s Alternative Education Program if, as Gahler said, he had prior run-ins with law enforcement, Lader explained that removal to an alternate school is only lawful if the student’s charges have a direct connection to the school and pose a risk of danger or disruption.

If a student is referred to the school system’s Alternative Education Program, state code outlines provisions for students to be able to return to regular academic programming with demonstrated behavioral improvement.

Prince is charged with first- and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, use of a firearm and other charges. A Harford County Circuit Court Judge ordered that Prince remain held without bond during a bail review Monday.

Five schools in the Joppatowne area — including Joppatowne High — were closed Monday due to the need “for time and space to heal” from the “emotional toll” of the shooting, according to the school system.

Joppatowne High students are expected to return to school Thursday.

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(Baltimore Sun reporter Darcy Costello contributed to this article.)

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