English
AI detector weapon misidentification causes police to rush to a Baltimore County school. On Monday night, Taki Allen sat with friends outside Kenwood High School. He was eating a bag of chips after football practice. About twenty minutes later, police officers arrived with drawn guns. Allen faced eight cop cars pulling up to the scene. Officers ordered him to the ground immediately. “Get on the ground,” they demanded, guns pointed. Allen, shocked, wondered what was happening.
The Misidentification
Police told Allen an AI detector weapon misidentification occurred. The system mistook his bag of chips for a weapon. Allen had crumpled the finished bag and placed it in his pocket. Officers forced him to his knees. They cuffed his hands behind his back. Then, they searched Allen thoroughly. The officers quickly realized he had no weapons. They found the crumpled bag of chips on the floor near where Allen stood.
Police showed Allen the picture that triggered the alert. “I was just holding a Doritos bag,” Allen recalled. He held it with two hands and one finger out. The AI system thought this resembled a gun. Allen’s grandfather, Lamont Davis, voiced his dismay. “Nobody wants this to happen to their child,” Davis stated. “No one wants this to happen.”
School and Police Response
Baltimore County high schools began using the gun detection system last year. This system uses existing school cameras. It employs AI to spot potential weapons. The technology alerts the school safety team and law enforcement.
County police sent a statement Tuesday afternoon. They confirmed officers responded to Kenwood High School around 7:20 p.m. A report of a suspicious person with a weapon led to the dispatch. Officers searched the person on the scene. They determined the subject possessed no weapons. Police referred questions about the AI system to BCPS, mentioning “Omnilert.”
The school principal also sent a letter to parents. The administration received an alert around 7 p.m. An individual on school grounds possibly had a weapon. The Department of School Safety and Security reviewed the alert fast. They canceled the initial warning after confirming no weapon existed. The principal contacted the school resource officer (SRO). The SRO called the local precinct for extra support. Police officers quickly confirmed the individual had no weapon.
Aftermath and Support
School administration understood the students’ distress. The incident upset Allen and witnessing students. Counselors now offer direct support to those involved. They also remain available for any student needing assistance. “Ensuring the safety of our students is one of our highest priorities,” the principal wrote. They work closely with Baltimore County police. This partnership ensures a prompt response to potential safety concerns. Working together is essential to maintaining a safe environment. This unfortunate event underscores the need for AI system review. (Internal link: Learn more about AI Bias in Security Systems). The AI detector weapon misidentification caused unnecessary panic.
