PENNSYLVANIA — Two schools in the Red Lion Area School District were placed on lockdown Friday after a hoax call falsely reporting an active shooter.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, an unknown caller claimed to be a student at Red Lion Area Junior High School and reported an active shooter on campus.
Following district safety protocols, both the junior high and senior high schools were immediately placed on lockdown around 12:30 p.m.
Police thoroughly assessed the situation and determined the report to be unfounded. The district said in a statement that the threat was “non-credible,” and the lockdown was lifted at approximately 1:05 p.m. All students and staff were confirmed safe.
Authorities said they are now working to identify the person responsible for the false report, commonly referred to as “swatting,” in which a fake emergency call is made to provoke a large law enforcement response.
York County Regional Police also released a statement confirming the incident was a hoax and that no actual threat occurred.
Counseling staff will be available to support students and staff following the lockdown, the district said.
