WILMINGTON, Del. — An incident that Delaware State Police determined to be a hoax and a form of “swatting” led to heightened security at multiple school districts in Delaware. Officials say threats were made in phone calls.
Additional police were in place at Christina School District and Newark School District. Lockdowns started to be lifted Thursday afternoon.
Schools in Christina School District were ordered to shelter in place.
“Similar threats have been received statewide,” Newark police said in a statement. “We have increased security at the schools as we investigate the validity of the threat and have been in contact with the Christina School District.”
Delaware State Police said officers were conducting patrols at schools and that they hadn’t identified safety concerns.
One Bancroft student whose father arrived to pick him up spoke with CBS Philadelphia.
“It was a first-time experience for me and my fellow classmates,” the student said. “It was real nerve-wracking to be in a situation like that.”
Delaware State Police said it is working with the Department Of Education to gather more information.
It says the schools are still completing their safety protocols, and lockdowns are starting to be lifted. Parents should wait for further instructions from their child’s school.
Source: CBS Philadelphia
