UPDATE: 11:47 a.m., Monday:
Around 8 a.m. Monday, Pennsbury High School students began sending texts to parents about a threat.
Teachers were ordering students to safe places, the school was placed on a secure hold, and rumors of an armed person at the campus in Falls Township quickly spread.
Advertisements
At the same time, police from Falls Township and surrounding municipalities rushed cars to the campus after school administrators reported a threat targeting the school.
“At approximately 7:55 a.m., we received a call from a California number who said they were on their way to East High School with an assault rifle and a pipe bomb,” school officials wrote parents in an email.
Police and district officials believe the report was a swatting hoax, one of numerous ones across the region.
There was never an armed subject at the high school, officials told LevittownNow.com.
A law enforcement source said federal authorities are involved in the investigation.
Advertisements
Due to the threat, Pennsbury High School shifted to an asynchronous virtual instruction day, with dismissal starting at 9:15 a.m.
Pennsbury’s other schools continued to operate on a normal schedule.
Families crowded the roads around the high school as officers with patrol rifles secured the campus. Other officers attempted to direct traffic and calm worried parents.
Advertisements
“Is everything OK? Is the school safe?” one worried mother asked.
Another parent, Shannon, stood just off campus and said she was reassured by the large police presence. Her husband was heading from work to be with her.
“It’s so frightening we have to worry about this,” she said. “Look at how many police we have and my daughter still doesn’t feel safe. She texted they heard there was a shooter.”
Advertisements
Students on buses headed to the high school were diverted to the district’s middle schools before the early dismissal was called.
Pennsylvania State Police didn’t immediately provide a statewide total of incidents, but schools in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties reported similar threats, as well as schools in New Jersey, according to media reports and officials. Council Rock High School North in Newtown Township received a swatting call and was cleared by police, as well as Palisades High School in Upper Bucks County.
Advertisements
Police will be sweeping the East and West buildings due to the threat, an officer at the scene said.
Pennsbury officials told parents after-school activities will continue, and AP exams that were scheduled will be rescheduled.
The district expects a normal day for Tuesday.
Advertisements
“We would like to acknowledge the efforts of our staff, students, and administration during this challenging situation. They followed all directions and protocols in an orderly and calm manner,” the district posted on Facebook. “We also would like to recognize the Falls Township and Lower Makefield Police for their quick action and guidance.”
The Monday incident follows threats of violence that caused concern at the high school after students took part in nationwide movement protesting immigration enforcement actions several months ago.
Advertisements
Monday’s widespread threat incidents come after waves of similar crimes in recent years at high schools, colleges and universities, and Jewish centers across the nation.
On its website, the FBI warns that threats against schools and public places are serious crimes.
“Issuing a threat—even over social media, via text message, or through e-mail—is a federal crime (threatening interstate communications). Those who post or send these threats can receive up to five years in federal prison, or they can face state or local charges,” the FBI said.
Advertisements
Federal authorities said the threats don’t just waste taxpayer resources, but they cause emotional distress to students, staff, and parents.
Advertisements
Advertisements
UPDATE: 9:15 a.m., Monday:
Pennsbury High School is dismissing students.
Multiple police agencies are on the scene.
Below is an email from the district:
Dear Pennsbury School District Community,
At approximately 7:55 am, we received a call from a California number who said they were on their way to East High School with an assault rifle and a pipe bomb. We understand that multiple high schools in the county received similar calls, and we believe this is a hoax or a swatting incident. However, the police will conduct a full search of the campus prior to students returning.
Advertisements
The following will occur:
-As a precaution, the high school will transition to asynchronous virtual instruction for today.
-PHS students who were bused to Charles Boehm Middle School will be transported home beginning at 9:30 am.
-Parent pickup for PHS students who are currently at Charles Boehm will be at the bus dock/gym lobby.
-Parent pick-up of PHS students in the building will take place at East, on the gymnasium side, and at Keller Hall West.
Advertisements
-Student drivers and walkers will be dismissed from the high school at 9:20 am. The police have set up a secure perimeter to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate this challenging situation.
Original Story:
Police from multiple municipalities were dispatched to Pennsbury High School for reports of a threat around 8 a.m. Monday.
A message to parents from Principal Reggie Meadows reported a call from an out-of-area phone number. The caller reported that there was an “imminent threat of violence” at the high school’s East Campus.
Students and staff were placed on a secure hold as officers responded to the scene.
Several parents said students were hiding in classrooms and there were rumors of an armed man on campus. However, law enforcement sources said there was no armed subject known to be on the campus in Falls Township as of 8:25 a.m.
Parents reported being turned away as they went to drop students off, and buses heading to the campus were diverted to other schools.
The incident was ongoing as of 8:25 a.m.
Ambulances and the fire marshal’s office was staged near the school to assist.
