Reporters from numerous publications descended like vultures on Twitter to pick apart a student trapped inside Maryland’s Great Mills High School during a school shooting on Tuesday.

“Hi Twitter. I am in Great Mills HS. My school is on a very real lockdown threat and there’s already someone possibly dead,” Mollie Davis posted Tuesday morning. “Please pray for us.”

Instead of prayer, Davis received requests for comment about the situation.

“Hi @davism0llie this is Rachel with ABC News,” reporter Rachel Katz wrote. “Are you ok? Are you in a safe place? Can you tell me what is going on at your high school?”

“There was a loud sound and everyone started screaming and running,” Davis replied.

Despite the obvious trauma, Katz pressed on.

“Were you in a classroom when you heard this or still walking into school?” she questioned.

Minutes later, other reporters began to barrage Davis with questions.


“Hi @davism0llie – I’m a journalist at Yahoo News,” George Darling wrote. “I heard that things are contained and police are attending – are you okay? Have you left yet? Thoughts are with you, and please do not respond if you are in danger.”

“Hi @davism0llie, I’m an @AP reporter. I hope you and your classmates are safe, and I’m sorry you are going through this. If you feel up to talking after the situation is clear, we would like to speak with you. You can reach me here or at 804-643-6646,” Sarah Rankin added.

“Hello Mollie – I’m Becca, a reporter with Sky in London. We’re reporting on this too, I’ve seen that you’re safe now, which is a relief. Is anyone still left inside or have police got everyone out?” Becca Taylor posted.

“Mollie I’m with Cbs news national can you call me at 917-4996459 if you are safe? Thank you,” Laura Strickler wrote.

“Hi Mollie, I’m so sorry. Are you safe and OK?” Colin Campbell posted. “I’m with @baltimoresun – can you call me? I’m at 410-332-6129.”

Investigators with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office told The Baltimore Sun they’re still sorting out the details, but confirmed that 17-year-old student Austin Wyatt Rollins opened fire in a first floor hallway at Great Mills shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Rollins fired several rounds from a Glock 9-millimeter handgun, striking a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy. Rollins also fired at Deputy First Class Blaine Gaskill, a school resource officer who responded quickly to the scene.

Gaskill exchanged gunfire with the teen, who was found dead, but was not injured in the shooting.

Sheriff Tim Cameron told the Sun there’s an “indication that a prior relationship existed between the shooter and the female victim,” but investigators are still of the exact motive. The female victim is in critical condition, while the 14-year-old boy is in good condition, according to the news site.

Gov. Larry Hogan commended the armed officer for taking out the shooter.

“While it’s still tragic, he may have saved other people’s lives,” Hogan said.

Great Mills was put on a lockdown for several hours before students were eventually evacuated and released to their parents.

Folks online, meanwhile, sounded off on the media’s feigned concern for students in pursuit of the story.

“Good Grief, don’t you think you should wait until she’s safe before you hound her with questions?” Jesus Christ Marie wrote. “You people can be parasites!”

“All these reporters commenting just to get a story should be ashamed of yourself!” Mrs. Robinson wrote. “These poor kids have got a lot to work thru including emotional trauma! Get your scoop from the police!”