Student Handcuffed After AI Security Error at Maryland High School

A student at Kenwood High School in Baltimore County, Maryland, was handcuffed by police on Monday after an AI-powered security system mistakenly identified an empty Doritos bag as a firearm.

The incident occurred when the school’s AI gun detection system issued an alert, prompting police to respond to what was reported as a possible weapon sighting. Armed officers arrived at the school, detained the student, and conducted a search. The object was later identified as an empty snack bag, and no weapon was found.

Kenwood student Taki Allen stated that he was handcuffed and searched while waiting for a ride home after football practice. He said several police vehicles arrived at the scene, and officers pointed weapons before determining there was no threat.

According to Baltimore County Public Schools, the school’s security department had already reviewed and canceled the alert before police arrived. However, the principal, Kate Smith, had reported the original alert to the school resource officer, who contacted local authorities for support.

The Baltimore County Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a “report of a suspicious person with a weapon” but found the individual unarmed.

The AI detection system, operated by Omnilert, has been in use in Baltimore County public schools since 2023. The company expressed regret for the incident, stating that its system is designed to flag possible threats for human review and that it functioned “as intended” by prioritizing safety through rapid verification.

Superintendent Myriam Rogers called the event “truly unfortunate” and confirmed that the district will review its security procedures. County officials, including Councilmen Izzy Patoka and Julian Jones, have also called for a review to ensure safeguards against similar errors.

The Baltimore County government and school district continue to evaluate how the AI system is deployed across local schools.