Taki Allen says he was sitting with friends after football practice on Monday afternoon when armed police officers suddenly surrounded him. He says the officers pointed their weapons, ordered him to the ground, and detained him — a moment he says left him shaken and afraid for his life.

“I just in that moment, I didn’t feel safe. I didn’t feel like the school actually cared about me. Because nobody came up to me after, not even the principal,” Allen told FOX45 News.

The incident was triggered by a false alert from an artificial intelligence gun detection system installed in Baltimore County schools.

The AI software, developed by security company Omnilert, mistook Allen’s shiny, crumpled chip bag for a firearm, according to the student.

“It was mainly like, am I gonna die? Are they going to kill me?” Allen recalled. “They showed me the picture, said that looks like a gun — I said, no, it’s chips.”

The software, introduced last year, scans existing school surveillance cameras for signs of weapons. If a potential threat is detected, it alerts law enforcement in real time.

In this case, the alert prompted an immediate response from officers — a response Allen and his family say was dangerously aggressive.

“God forbid, my grandson could be dead if he flinched or twitched,” said Allen’s grandfather, Lamont Davis. “He doesn’t want to come outside unless somebody is there to pick him up.”

In a statement, Omnilert expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging that the image “closely resembled a gun being held.” The company called it a “false positive,” but defended the system’s response, stating it “functioned as intended: to prioritize safety and awareness through rapid human verification.”

Baltimore County Public Schools sent a letter home to parents, reinforcing Omnilert’s message and noting that counseling services would be available to students affected.

But Allen says no one from the school has reached out to him personally.

“They didn’t apologize. They just told me it was protocol,” Allen said. “I was expecting at least somebody to talk to me about it.”

His grandfather believes the school’s leadership should have done more to support Allen following the incident.

“I want [the principal] to reach out to him and go to his class and say, ‘Are you okay? Do you feel okay?’” Davis said.

Allen says the experience has left him deeply uneasy — especially about returning to school.

“I don’t feel like going out there anymore,” he said. “If I eat another bag of chips or drink something, I feel like they’re going to come again.”

Omnilert says it will conduct a thorough review of the incident to improve the system’s accuracy and emphasized that its AI is designed to support, not replace, human judgment.

 Have a news tip? Contact Alexa Dikos at aadikos@sbgtv.com. Contact Rebecca Pryor at rkpryor@sbgtv.com or on X at @RebeccaPryorTV.

On October 16, around 7:29 p.m., crews with the Westminster Fire Department responded to 1706 The Strand in Westminster for a house fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters found the single-family home engulfed in flames.

It took 73 firefighters about an hour and a half to put out the blaze, according to officials.

The destruction caused an estimated $200,000 in damage and left five adults displaced.

Crews say the fire started in one of the home’s bedrooms, but the cause remains under investigation.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal says a fire alarm and sprinkler were not present.

 Have a news tip? Contact Alexa Dikos at aadikos@sbgtv.com.

The crash occurred around 3 p.m. at the intersection of Wise Avenue and Church Road in Dundalk.

Police said the passenger of the sedan sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital via ambulance.

Two high school students were aboard the school bus at the time of the crash. Neither was injured.

The students were transferred to another bus to continue to their destinations.

 Have a news tip? Contact Alexa Dikos at aadikos@sbgtv.com. 

Investigators said Cameran Holt, 19, was shot by a stray bullet while sitting in the driver’s seat of her car in the unit block of West Hamburg Street on Oct. 27.

The 19-year-old from Pasadena was left paralyzed and died a week and a half later at Maryland Shock Trauma.

Investigators arrested and charged three people with her murder: Alexis Cancel-Soto, Daeshaun Clark, and Devontaye Richardson.

Cancel-Soto was the first defendant to stand trial in the case.

During opening statements, the state argued this case was premeditated murder and described the shooting as an ambush attack carried out by Cancel-Soto and his two co-defendants against a purple Dodge Challenger.

The assistant state’s attorney said Cancel-Soto admitted to firing a weapon and his statements, along with witness statements and surveillance footage, would prove the premeditation.

 Have a news tip? Contact Alexa Dikos at aadikos@sbgtv.com. Contact Alexa Ashwell at aashwell@sbgtv.com or at x.com/AlexaAshwell.

The Grammy-winning rapper has announced her return to touring with the “Little Miss Drama Tour,” a more than 30-date arena tour launching in February 2026.

This will be Cardi B’s first headlining tour in six years and her largest yet, in support of her highly anticipated sophomore album, “Am I The Drama?,” which drops Friday, Sept. 19, via Atlantic Records.

The North American tour kicks off Feb. 11 in Palm Desert, California, and includes two major local stops: CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore on April 4 and Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on April 8.

Marking the biggest tour of her career, Cardi will headline iconic venues for the first time, including Madison Square Garden in New York City and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, a significant milestone for the Bronx native.

Ticket information

Citi Presale: Begins Monday, Sept. 22, at 7 a.m. and ends Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 7 a.m. Citi cardholders can access tickets through the Citi Entertainment platform.

Verizon Presale: Runs from Sept. 22 at 7 a.m. to Sept. 23 at 7 a.m. via the My Verizon app under myAccess.

Cardi B Artist Presale: Fans can register by Sunday, September 21 at 10 p.m. PT to participate in a special artist presale beginning Tuesday, September 23 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. No code is needed — access is linked to your Ticketmaster account.

General On-Sale: Begins Thursday, September 25 at 10 a.m. at https://www.cardib.com/tour.

‘LITTLE MISS DRAMA TOUR’ 2026 DATES:

• Wed Feb 11 — Palm Desert, CA — Acrisure Arena
• Fri Feb 13 — Las Vegas, NV — T-Mobile Arena
• Sun Feb 15 — Los Angeles, CA — Kia Forum
• Thu Feb 19 — Portland, OR — Moda Center
• Sat Feb 21 — Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena
• Sun Feb 22 — Seattle, WA — Climate Pledge Arena
• Wed Feb 25 — Sacramento, CA — Golden 1 Center
• Fri Feb 27 — San Francisco, CA — Chase Center
• Sun Mar 01 — Phoenix, AZ — PHX Arena
• Wed Mar 04 — Houston, TX — Toyota Center
• Fri Mar 06 — Austin, TX — Moody Center
• Sat Mar 07 — Dallas, TX — American Airlines Center
• Mon Mar 09 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
• Thu Mar 12 — Minneapolis, MN — Target Center
• Sat Mar 14 — Indianapolis, IN — Gainbridge Fieldhouse
• Sun Mar 15 — Detroit, MI — Little Caesars Arena
• Tue Mar 17 — Kansas City, MO — T-Mobile Center
• Thu Mar 19 — Cincinnati, OH — Heritage Bank Center
• Sat Mar 21 — Chicago, IL — United Center
• Wed Mar 25 — New York, NY — Madison Square Garden
• Sat Mar 28 — Newark, NJ — Prudential Center
• Mon Mar 30 — Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena
• Thu Apr 02 — Boston, MA — TD Garden
• Fri Apr 03 — Hartford, CT — PeoplesBank Arena
• Sat Apr 04 — Baltimore, MD — CFG Bank Arena
• Tue Apr 07 — Philadelphia, PA — Xfinity Mobile Arena
• Wed Apr 08 — Washington, DC — Capital One Arena
• Sat Apr 11 — Raleigh, NC — Lenovo Center
• Sun Apr 12 — Charlotte, NC — Spectrum Center
• Tue Apr 14 — Sunrise, FL — Amerant Bank Arena
• Fri Apr 17 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena

 Have a news tip? Contact Alexa Dikos at aadikos@sbgtv.com.

On Aug. 29, around 1:10 a.m., an officer was hit by a dirt bike in the area of York Road and East Chesapeake Avenue, according to officials.

Police apprehended the suspect, who was later charged with firearm-related offenses.

The condition of the officer has not been publicly released.

The incident unfolded as large crowds gathered in the street near York Road and Chesapeake Avenue.

FOX45 obtained security footage showing dozens of people gathered in the street.

Classes started at Towson University this week. Students said it is not unusual for large crowds to gather outside the bars on Thursday nights, but they said the crowd this time seemed more intense than usual.

Additional details about the suspect or the circumstances leading up to the incident have not been disclosed.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Have a news tip? Contact Alexa Dikos at aadikos@sbgtv.com and Olivia Dance at oadance@sbgtv.com.

At the event, organizers announced a bold new goal: planting five million oysters in the Baltimore Harbor by 2030.

The partnership, a collaboration between the Waterfront Partnership‘s Healthy Harbor Initiative and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, also unveiled its latest tool in the restoration effort: the Electric Spat Mobile. The electric truck will help transport baby oysters, also known as “spat,” and equipment throughout the city in a more sustainable manner.

“It’s incredible to see how far this program has come,” said Adam Lindquist, vice president of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore and head of the Healthy Harbor Initiative, in a news release. “From just a handful of volunteers 13 years ago to thousands of oysters being planted every season, Baltimoreans are showing that community-driven restoration works. With 5 million oysters on the horizon, we’re doubling down on our commitment to a cleaner, healthier Harbor.”

Since its founding in 2013, the initiative has helped plant over two million oysters at the Fort Carroll oyster sanctuary reef in the Patapsco River.

During the 2024–2025 season alone, 417,059 oysters were planted by volunteers and staff.

Oysters play a critical role in the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Each adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, helping to clean and restore the harbor while also creating vital habitat for fish, crabs and other aquatic species.

“This milestone isn’t just about oysters. It’s about people,” said Carmera Thomas-Wilhite, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s vice president for communities and partnerships, as well as a board member at Waterfront Partnership, in the release. “This program fills a need in our community — a need for cleaner water, hands-on environmental stewardship and opportunities to see the impact of people’s efforts, firsthand.”

This year also brings new support from the Baltimore Ravens and The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation, who join a coalition of local marinas, nonprofits and businesses, including the Downtown Sailing Center and Living Classrooms Foundation.

Volunteers remain central to the effort, handling everything from cage assembly to oyster care. More than 1,000 volunteers are expected to take part this year, making the program Baltimore’s largest community-led oyster restoration initiative.

“The oysters we grow in Baltimore stay in Baltimore,” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Oyster Restoration Specialist Kellie Fiala in the release. “That’s because we want the thousands of volunteers who dedicate countless hours to benefit from the cleaner water and healthier ecosystems that oysters can provide.”

The kickoff event concluded with volunteers lowering 10 cages filled with spat into the harbor, marking the official start of the 2025–2026 restoration season.

“Every oyster we plant is a step toward a healthier, more vibrant Harbor,” said Dan Taylor, president of the Waterfront Partnership, in the release. “We’re thrilled to celebrate what’s been accomplished and look forward to the millions of oysters—and volunteers—still to come.”

Have a news tip? Contact Alexa Dikos at aadikos@sbgtv.com.

Grady will remain in her position until October to ensure a smooth transition while the administration searches for her successor.

“Secretary Helene Grady is a true public servant in every beautiful sense of that phrase. And when the story of Maryland’s Decade is written, her fingerprints will be all over the page,” said Gov. Moore, via press release. “During Secretary Grady’s distinguished tenure, we turned an inherited structural deficit into a surplus, delivered a tax cut to middle-class families, and secured historic investments in education, health care, public safety, transportation, and countless other priorities that Marylanders deserve. Every step of the way, she led with data and discipline. Her positive contributions to the people of our state will be felt for generations.”

Officials say Grady played a central role in the Moore-Miller Administration’s fiscal policies, helping to close a historic, projected budget deficit, ultimately ensuring that the majority of Marylanders either saw an income tax decrease or no change in their income tax.

During three legislative sessions, Grady was a key figure in advancing priorities like the expansion of the Child Tax Credit and the permanent extension of the Enhanced Earned Income Tax Credit.

She also helped secure funding boosts for Medicaid, child care, workforce development, and economic initiatives.

“Serving as Maryland’s Secretary for Budget and Management with the Moore-Miller Administration these past three years has been a phenomenal experience professionally and personally,” said Grady, via press release. “The work has been exceptionally fulfilling, and the experience surpassed all of my expectations. I will always be grateful for this opportunity and for the governor’s confidence in the DBM team as we’ve worked together to drive progress on so many fronts. There are many eyes on our work in Maryland, and as I transition to the next phase of my career, I look forward to opportunities to support Governor Moore and the team’s continued success.”

The Governor’s Office has not yet named a successor but confirmed that the search for a new budget secretary is already underway.

This is the third staffing change for Moore’s administration in the past few weeks.

 Have a news tip? Contact Alexa Dikos at aadikos@sbgtv.com.

Approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works, the funding will support the restoration of tidal wetlands along the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River near MedStar Harbor Hospital.

The project is expected to reduce flooding risks, improve water quality in the Inner Harbor and restore crucial aquatic habitats.

“This project reflects the best of what environmental infrastructure can do, which is create jobs, protect our neighborhoods and deliver cleaner, more resilient communities,” said Maryland Secretary of the Environment Serena McIlwain in a news release. “Investments like this guard against flooding and also create beautiful public spaces and economic opportunity for families and businesses.”

The funding comes through the Comprehensive Flood Management Grant Program, with final amounts contingent on project scope, costs and federal contributions.

A memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the city and the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership to carry out the work.

The investment is part of a broader commitment from Gov. Wes Moore, whose fiscal 2026 budget includes more than $400 million for Chesapeake Bay and clean water projects.

These initiatives not only protect natural resources but also support tourism, which generates about $3.2 billion annually. Additionally, they support Maryland’s $600 million seafood industry and local economies.

The project will create new green space and address long-standing environmental justice concerns in South Baltimore, according to the department.

Have a news tip? Contact Alexa Dikos at aadikos@sbgtv.com.

His appointment, which takes effect on Sept.17, follows a comprehensive search. Tatum brings more than 15 years of experience in election administration to the role.

In a press release, the State Board of Elections said Tatum’s leadership will be “instrumental in guiding our city through upcoming election cycles and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.”

Tatum’s appointment comes after the city’s longtime election director, Armstead Jones, who died in April.

Have a news tip? Contact Alexa Dikos at aadikos@sbgtv.com.