AI Misidentifies Doritos as Gun, Sparks Police Response in Baltimore

An AI-driven gun detection system at Kenwood High School in Baltimore County mistakenly identified a bag of Doritos as a firearm, resulting in a police response involving multiple officers and vehicles. The incident occurred on March 15, 2024, when 16-year-old student Taki Allen was enjoying a snack outside the school after football practice. Within twenty minutes, he found himself surrounded by police officers, who approached him with weapons drawn.

“I was just holding a Doritos bag — it was two hands and one finger out, and they said it looked like a gun,” Allen recounted to WBAL-TV 11 News. He described the chaotic scene as “eight cop cars” arrived, and officers ordered him to the ground before handcuffing him. After a thorough search, they realized he posed no threat.

Flawed Technology Raises Concerns

This incident emphasizes significant flaws in current gun detection technologies, which are being implemented in schools across the United States. The system at Kenwood High, developed by the Virginia-based startup Omnilert, is designed to analyze footage from approximately 7,000 cameras in the school district, alerting authorities to potential weapon sightings in real time.

Despite its intended purpose, these technologies have not proved effective in preventing school shootings. For instance, a recent shooting at Antioch High School in suburban Nashville highlighted the limitations of such systems. Moreover, there are increasing concerns regarding potential racial biases inherent in AI-driven surveillance, particularly affecting students of color.

Omnilert acknowledged the error in a statement to the Baltimore Banner, calling the event a “false positive.” Blake Mitchell, an Omnilert spokesperson, explained that the system operates by verifying images that closely resemble a weapon and forwarding the findings to the school’s safety team for assessment. “Even as we look at it now, with full awareness that it’s not a gun, it still looks like to most people like one,” he admitted.

Calls for Accountability and Change

The aftermath of the incident has left Allen feeling anxious about returning to school. “I don’t feel like going out there anymore,” he expressed. “If I eat another bag of chips or drink something, I feel like they’re going to come again.” His grandfather, Lamont Davis, voiced his outrage, questioning the necessity of a heavy police response: “There was no threat for eight guns to be pointed at a 16-year-old.”

Despite the distress caused, Allen reported that he has yet to receive an apology from school officials. “They just told me it was protocol,” he said, expressing disappointment at the lack of communication following such a traumatic experience.

As schools increasingly rely on AI technologies for security, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for rigorous oversight and evaluation of these systems. The balance between ensuring safety and protecting the rights and well-being of students remains a critical concern for educators and parents alike.