Wareham Schools Gunman Threat A Hoax: Police

WAREHAM, MA — Wareham schools were evacuated Monday morning after someone sent an email to an administrator claiming to be inside a school with a gun, authorities said. The threat happened on the first day of summer school; schools were evacuated and police searched several buildings. Nothing was found and police said the threat was a hoax.

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Scores of law enforcement officers — including SWAT teams, a helicopter crew and armored vehicle crew — responded to the scene to search the schools. Students were bussed under police guard to the Gleason Family YMCA, where their parents picked them up.

“We understand that the large police presence may be alarming to some, but our number one priority is that the children and school officials are safe, and we do not take any chances when it comes to that,” Wareham Police Chief Kevin Walsh said in a statement Monday. “I want to thank everyone in the community for their support and patience as we conduct a thorough search of the schools, and I am grateful for the tremendous mutual aid network ... that allows our department to temporarily grow in size and scope to address this incident.”

SWAT teams searched the buildings and found nothing. Several media networks dispatched helicopters to the scene; police asked the networks to clear the helicopters from the area so officers could continue their search. The search was called off at about 5 p.m.

"No threats located," State Police said in a statement.

Walsh said a single suspect likely made the threat. Authorities will "prosecute to the fullest" that suspect when he or she is found, Walsh said during the news conference.

Photo: Police search a school in Wareham Monday after someone emailed a school administrator and claimed to be inside a school with a gun. (Credit: WHDH)