Westport School Targeted In Possible 'Swatting' Incident: Officials

WESTPORT, CT — Bedford Middle School has been placed on temporary lockdown on Monday morning, June 9, as police investigate a possible "swatting" incident, according to officials.

Additionally, students and staff at nearby Staples High School has been told to shelter-in-place during the investigation.

According to authorities, several schools in Connecticut have been hit by swatting incidents on Monday.

Westport Public Schools has released the following statement about the ongoing incident:

There is an active incident taking place at Bedford Middle School. The Westport Police Department has informed us that this is likely a swatting incident. There have been multiple swatting reports like this one across the state this morning.

Swatting is making malicious hoax calls to emergency services to falsely report an ongoing emergency, such as a violent crime or explosive device at a certain location.

However, the Westport Police Department and Westport Public Schools will take all necessary precautions to investigate and secure the school building.

Bedford Middle School is currently in lockdown; we ask that parents not come to campus so that the first responders can complete their work efficiently and swiftly.

In addition, Staples High School is in a shelter-in-place due to the fact that it is a shared campus. There has been no incident reported at Staples. A shelter-in-place means classes will continue, but there will be no entry or exiting from the building until the shelter-in-place is lifted.

All other schools continue to have their regular police presence and normal operations.

We will provide an update when more information is available.