Ridgefield Police Say No Explosives Found After East Ridge Middle School Threat

The origin of the threat remains under investigation by Ridgefield police.

The Ridgefield incident came during a week of similar school threats and false emergency reports in Connecticut. In Greenwich, police said they responded to swatting incidents at two public schools over two days, including Central Middle School, and that both reports were later determined to be unfounded.

In Brookfield, police investigated an apparent swatting incident Wednesday morning at Whisconier Middle School. Authorities searched the school and determined the report was not credible and that there was no threat to students, staff or the community.

Weston police said an anonymous threat Tuesday claimed explosive devices had been placed inside Weston Middle School. Officers, canine units and Stamford’s bomb squad searched the school and found no threats or explosives.

In Hamden, police said a Wednesday threat claimed there were active shooters and explosive devices at Hamden Middle School and a Walmart. The threat was later determined to be a swatting incident and a hoax.

Darien’s Middlesex Middle School was placed under a shelter-in-place order Monday after an anonymous electronic threat was received. School officials said the threat was determined not to be credible.

In a separate Danbury incident Monday, police said a report that a man had a gun during a domestic disturbance prompted a SWAT response and road closure. Investigators later determined no firearm was involved, Patch reported.

"Swatting" is the criminal act of making a malicious, false 911 call to report an extreme emergency—such as an active shooter, bomb threat, or hostage situation—with the explicit intent of provoking a heavily armed police or Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) response at an unsuspecting victim's location

Ridgefield police asked anyone who sees suspicious activity to contact the department at 203-438-6531 or call 911 if necessary.