Oakland Mills High Principal Responds to Students' Arrest

Principal Frank V. Eastham Jr. said Oakland Mills High has taken measures to ensure the school is not disrupted by Tuesday's announcement that four students were arrested and charged with the attempted murder of a cab driver.

In a letter to parents, he wrote that "maintaining a safe and orderly school environment is of the highest priority."

The four students who are charged in relation to a March 1 incident, in which they reportedly attempted to rob a cab driver, were arrested last week, according to police.

The alleged crime occurred sometime around 10:45 p.m., said police. Eastham pointed out in his letter that the crime happened outside of school hours and off of school property. 

Three of the students were arrested without incident at Oakland Mills High School last week, said police.

A spokesperson for Howard County Public Schools said the students who were arrested will be evaluated using a process known as Board Policy 9280, which deals with students charged with reportable offenses. This policy allows the students to be placed in an alternative education program, but the school system does not comment on how it handles individual students, according to the spokesperson.

Eastham wrote that teachers were made aware of the arrests on Tuesday and that counselors would be available if students are interested in talking about the incident.

Police arrested Khalid Khahiem Woods, 19; Johnam Perez-Rivera, 16; Woody Rousseau, 17; and Chellby Ofosusafori, 17, for their alleged involvement in the crime. All four were charged as adults.

He also wrote that media may attempt to contact parents or students and that, "It is important to avoid making comments which may be incomplete, inaccurate, or disruptive to the normal operations of our school."

The arrests are the second high-profile incident to affect Columbia high schools this year. In February, a Wilde Lake High School student was arrested and charged with rape after allegedly forcing himself on another student inside an unoccupied choir room during school hours.

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Oakland Mills High School Students Arrested for Attempted Murder of Cab Driver

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