Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibility
Weather Alert
Minor river flooding continues today
Show Less
Close Alert

Police look into 'swatting,' trend after Massachusetts schools receive threats


A file image of Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River. (WJAR)
A file image of Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River. (WJAR)
Facebook Share IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share Icon

Schools across Massachusetts said they have received calls threatening to shoot up or bomb the buildings over the last few days.

It happened most recently in Fall River on Tuesday.

Fall River police say someone called them around 11 a.m. on Tuesday and threatened violence against Bishop Connolly High School.

Students at all Fall River schools were asked to shelter in place briefly as the grounds were searched. Police determined there was no real threat to staff or students.

"We are so fortunate to have a wonderful police department, they made us aware, they checked out our school completely and deemed we were safe and secure," said Bishop Connelly High School Principal Kathleen St. Laurent.

The threat came the day as hundreds of people were set to gather at Bishop Connolly for Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn's swearing-in ceremony, but it wasn’t immediately clear if there was any connection to the phone threat or if it was just a coincidence.

Attendees told NBC 10 they still felt safe as they entered the building.

"We know that our police department was right on it, they vetted everything and they have been a wonderful presence here at the school and we were very confident having the event today," St. Laurent said.

According to the Massachusetts Fusion Center, several police departments in the state have received similar calls recently.

North Attleborough police reported receiving a call on their business line Monday threatening the high school.

The school went into lockdown, and police said nothing suspicious was found during a search the building and grounds.

North Attleborough police said the same telephone number that called them was used to call other police departments.

“The caller was not certain of the town he was calling about,” police noted.

Police in Amesbury and Ipswich, Massachusetts, reported similar threats that turned out to be unfounded.

Investigators believe these are 'swatting' incidents where individuals try to tie up police and emergency resources to divert officers away from emergencies.

The threatening calls are still under investigation and anyone with information is urged to contact Massachusetts State Police.

Loading ...