This case has intensified the debate over the reliability of AI tools in public schools. Critics argue that these systems often lack the human intuition needed to differentiate between everyday objects and genuine threats, leading to traumatic encounters for students—particularly those from marginalized communities.

In October 2025, a 16-year-old student at Kenwood High School in Baltimore County, Maryland, was handcuffed at gunpoint after an mistakenly identified a crumpled bag of Doritos in his pocket as a firearm.

Armed officers ordered Allen to his knees and handcuffed him while searching for a non-existent weapon.

The student, Taki Allen, had just finished football practice and was waiting for a ride home when the school's surveillance software, Omnilert, flagged him. Despite the company claiming the system "functioned as intended" to prioritize safety, the incident resulted in approximately eight police cars swarming the teen.