Student Meltdown Prompts Lockdown at Walt Whitman High School

The behavior of one student at Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington required administrators to reportedly call for a lockdown of the building Thursday morning.

Superintendent Dave Bennardo and principal John Murphy sent out a letter to parents explaining that there was “no danger to the student body or staff.”

According to the letter, this young man was experiencing personal issue that led to defiant and verbally abusive behaviors at around 9 a.m. Since he wasn’t cooperating with law enforcement, the assistant principal called for a lockdown of the building.

The order has since been lifted.

Administrators apologized for any concern this situation may have caused.

Read the school’s community statement below:

Hi All

I wanted to apprise you of a situation that has been resolved in Walt Whitman High School. A few moments ago one of our students was experiencing personal issues that segued into defiant and verbally abusive behaviors which required police intervention and medical evaluation. The situation involved only one child and there was no danger to the student body or staff, but since police were contacted and the young man was uncooperative with law enforcement, our assistant principal called for a lock down of the building. That order has now been lifted by the building principal as there is no danger to the student body and the young man is being evaluated appropriately. We apologize for any concern that this situation might have caused and assure you that all is well.

Dave Bennardo

John Murphy