ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A lockdown at William Allen High School on Wednesday, Oct. 28, was triggered by a false threat, according to Allentown police.
Police said the school resource officer assigned to Allen was told by school staff that someone had called the school claiming to be inside the building with a gun.
Officers responded and conducted an immediate, comprehensive check of the entire school, inside and out, along with the grounds. No one was found and no weapons were located, police said. Investigators determined the call was a “swatting”-type false threat.
The Allentown School District and Allentown police worked together to keep students and staff safe while investigating, according to the release from Capt. Daniel Gross, captain of investigations.
Police said no further information is being released because the investigation is ongoing.
Earlier Wednesday, district spokesperson Melissa Reese confirmed the school had been placed on lockdown due to a “safety incident.”
The hoax call comes after William Allen recently received three bomb threats in three days, with police making arrests in two of those cases. Last month, a separate report of a student with a weapon also turned out to be unfounded after police swept the school. Under Pennsylvania law, knowingly reporting false information to law enforcement is a crime.
Anyone with safety concerns can use the state’s anonymous tip line at 1-844-SAF2SAY or safe2saypa.org, available 24/7. In an emergency, call 911.
