Reports indicate that a student attending high school in Baltimore County, Maryland, was handcuffed and subjected to a search when an AI-powered security system mistakenly identified his bag of chips as a potential weapon.
Taki Allen, a Kenwood High School student, recounted to CNN’s WBAL affiliate, “I was simply holding a bag of Doritos — using two hands and one finger extended, and they claimed it resembled a firearm.” Allen stated that, consequently, “They forced me to kneel, restrain my hands behind my back, and handcuff me.”
In a message distributed to parents, Principal Katie Smith explained that the school’s security team had assessed and dismissed a gun detection notification. Smith, unaware that the alert had been rescinded, notified the school resource officer, who then contacted local law enforcement.
Omnilert, the firm responsible for the AI gun detection system, communicated to CNN, “We are sorry that this incident happened and would like to express our concern for the student and the broader community impacted by the subsequent events.” However, Omnilert asserted that “the procedure worked as it should.”
