A high school pupil in Baltimore County, Maryland was allegedly handcuffed and searched after an AI security system flagged his bag of snacks as a potential weapon.

Taki Allen, a learner at Kenwood High School, informed CNN affiliate WBAL, “I was just holding a Doritos bag — it was two hands and one finger out, and they said it resembled a gun.” However, Allen remarked, “They made me get on my knees, put my hands behind my back, and cuffed me.” 

In a message communicated to parents, Principal Katie Smith stated that the school’s security team had assessed and retracted a gun detection alert, while Smith (who didn’t immediately notice the alert had been retracted) informed the school resource officer, who contacted the local authorities.

Omnilert, the firm managing the AI gun detection system, conveyed to CNN, “We regret that this incident took place and wish to express our concern to the student and the broader community affected by the subsequent events.” Nevertheless, Omnilert asserted “the process operated as intended.”