Bowie Center lockdown lifted after student cleared; investigation continues

Bowie police responded to a report of an armed individual at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts around 11:40 a.m. on Jan. 14, prompting school officials to secure the building and nearby Bowie High School. Officers tracked down the person initially identified as a Bowie High School student, who agreed to speak with detectives. No weapon was found in the building or on campus, and authorities lifted the lockdown once searches were complete.

Bowie Police Chief Dwayne Preston said there is no evidence to support that a student was armed in the building or on campus. The department said the situation remains under investigation as detectives follow up on how the report originated and whether any laws were violated.

The quick mobilization of law enforcement and school staff calmed the immediate risk, but the episode reverberated through the community. Students were confined during a busy school day, parents scrambled for information, and teachers had to shift from instruction to safety procedures. For many families in Prince George’s County, any suggestion of a weapon on campus reopens fears about school violence and raises questions about communication and mental health supports.

Public health experts emphasize that beyond the physical threat, lockdowns can cause acute stress reactions in children and adults. Local school systems and county health services typically advise parents to check in with children after such incidents, watch for signs of anxiety or changes in behavior, and seek help from school counselors or mental health providers when needed.

This event also puts a spotlight on policy issues that affect Bowie and Prince George’s County broadly: how tips and reports are vetted, the role of rapid response protocols, and the availability of preventive services that might reduce threat reports. Residents and school advocates are likely to call for clearer after-action communication from law enforcement and schools about what triggered the response and what steps will be taken to prevent similar disruptions.

For now, families should expect follow-up from school officials and the Bowie Police Department as the investigation continues. Parents are encouraged to review their child’s school emergency notifications and to reach out to teachers or administrators if students show signs of distress. The community will be watching how authorities balance swift safety actions with transparent information-sharing and investments in the supports that help keep classrooms secure and students healthy.