EATON COUNTY, Mich. — An investigation is underway after Waverly Community Schools were placed on lockdown Wednesday morning, triggered by what authorities now believe was a "swatting" incident. No one was injured. "Swatting" is a hoax meant to draw a large law enforcement response to a location.
Update at 1 p.m.:
The Eaton County Sheriff's Office confirmed in a news release that the reported threat at Waverly High School appears to have been "swatting," which is a hoax meant to bring out a large law enforcement response to a location.
K-9 teams conducted a search of the school building and nearby area, including the parking lot, according to the news release, and no threats were found.
There is no continuing threat, the news release said, and the source of the threat is under investigation.
"The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office takes all threats involving schools seriously and will continue to work in partnership with local school districts to ensure the safety of our community," the news release said.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Detective Cissel with the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office at (517) 525-3332.
Update at 12:15 p.m. :
The incident at Waverly High school is believed to have been "swatting," according to an email to families from Waverly Community Schools Superintendent Glenn Mitcham.
That is "a malicious hoax involving false reports of violence designed to trigger a large-scale police response," Mitcham wrote.
The threat came in at approximately 8:15 a.m. Wednesday over the telephone, however no credible threat was ultimately discovered, Mitcham wrote.
No violence occurred.
Read the full update from Mitcham below:
"At approximately 8:15 a.m. today, Waverly High School received a telephone threat. In accordance with our safety protocols and out of an abundance of caution, the High School and all five additional district buildings were immediately placed on lockdown.
Local law enforcement arrived on-site and conducted a comprehensive sweep of the hallways and common areas. To ensure a meticulous inspection of every classroom, the decision was made to dismiss students early for the day.
We can confirm that no credible threat was discovered. This incident appears to be part of a "swatting" trend - a malicious hoax involving false reports of violence designed to trigger a large-scale police response.
"The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority," said Glenn Mitcham, district Superintendent. "We are grateful to our local emergency personnel for their rapid response and to our families for their patience as we followed our safety procedures. Our teachers and staff were champions today as well, as they supported our kids."
All students are safe, and all regularly scheduled extracurricular events will proceed as planned this evening."
Previous Story:
Logan Bailey, the Director of Public & Governmental Affairs in Eaton County tell us that the high school received a threat through a call earlier this morning, which the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating.
UPDATE: Neighborhood reporter Will Lemmink with what we know about the lockdown at Waverly Schools:
We are told that there has been no act of violence, but the lockdown was placed as a precaution on all the schools in the district.
All students at the high school were dismissed early out of an abundance of caution.
The Sheriff's office tells us local businesses have decided to place themselves on lockdown too.
At this time, the lockdown for the schools is still underway.
Stay with FOX47 news as we learn more about this investigation.
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