Threatening Message Prompts Investigation & Increased Security At Elementary School

Authorities responded after a student discovered a threatening message scrawled in a bathroom at Manor Elementary School in Falls Township.

District officials said the message was found in a boys’ bathroom stall last Friday.

The message reportedly read: “I am going to shoot up the school.” It was written in red marker and reported by a student.

Dr. Thomas Smith, superintendent of Pennsbury School District, and Terri Salvucci, principal of Manor Elementary, wrote in a Sunday evening note to parents that the district’s security team had reviewed hallway camera footage to identify students who used the bathroom and was comparing handwriting samples to figure out the author of the message.

Falls Township police were involved in the investigation.

Both school and local law enforcement officials did not believe the threat to be credible, officials said.

Due to the message, additional security measures were put in place at the school. Officers were at the campus to start the week.

“We are committed to communicating with you regarding any matter involving school safety, and we commend this student for reporting this to an adult. The safety of our students and staff is of utmost importance to us,” the administrators wrote.

Smith and Salvucci encouraged parents to reach out with any concerns or questions regarding the incident.

Below is the full note to parents:

Dear Manor School Families, 

On Friday, a student reported a concerning statement written in red marker in the stall of a boy’s bathroom at Manor. The statement was, “I am going to shoot up the school.” We have reviewed our hallway cameras to determine who used the bathroom and we are also comparing handwriting samples. The Falls Township police have been notified and we are working collaboratively to investigate the matter. At this time, we are unable to identify the individual(s) responsible, so we are taking additional security measures while we continue our investigation. 

We take every matter involving school security seriously, but we, along with local authorities, do not believe this is a credible statement or threat. As an added precaution, Falls Township police will be on-site when students and staff arrive Monday morning and throughout the day. 

We are committed to communicating with you regarding any matter involving school safety, and we commend this student for reporting this to an adult. The safety of our students and staff is of utmost importance to us. 

Please reach out to either of us if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Thomas A. Smith, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Mrs. Terri Salvucci
Principal, Manor Elementary

Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies

---

---