Conard High School Hoax Threat Investigated In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Police are investigating after a hoax call claimed that a student was inside Conard High School in West Hartford with a weapon Tuesday.

Police were contacted shortly before 8 a.m. from 2-1-1 reporting that a teenage male was at the school with weapons and wanted to harm others and himself, said Capt. Michael Perruccio, police spokesman.

Students were held in their locations while police secured the inside and outside of the school. A school resource officer was already at school and was quickly joined by other officers.

"We have reason to believe the phone call to 2-1-1 originated from outside the United States and are looking at a juvenile suspect," Perruccio said.

Below is the full letter from Principal Julio Duarte:

Good Morning,

Conard High School is dedicated to maintaining a strong partnership with parents in our effort to provide the very best education for students. Key to that partnership is open communication. For this reason, I want to make you aware of an incident that occurred this morning at Conard. At approximately 8:00 a.m., I was informed by WHPD that a call was made to 211 making a false claim that a student in the building was in possession of weapons. No other information was provided and police responded immediately. Security and administrators were dispatched throughout the building per protocol and bells were held until the building was deemed secure.

Per WHPD protocol, police responded and performed an additional sweep of the building. They have determined that the call was made by a former student who no longer attends Conard, and is no longer in the country. At no time were students in any danger. We're grateful for our partnership with WHPD and appreciate the cooperation of both students and staff. Thank you for entrusting your child to our care. Please contact me should you have any questions.

Julio Duarte
Principal