Shooting Threat Prompts Security Increase At Pennsbury Middle School

FALLSINGTON, PA —Police will be at Pennwood Middle School on Monday after school officials received several reports over the weekend regarding a shooting threat.

While the Pennsbury School District and law enforcement believe the threat is not credible, the Lower Makefield Township will be on-site when students and staff arrive at school Monday morning.

Pennsbury Schools Superintendent Thomas A. Smith sent an email to Pennwood Middle School families Sunday stating that school officials received two Safe2Say reports over a 24-hour span.

One stated that a student “possibly overheard someone tell another student that someone threatened a school shooting.” Another reported that an 8th grader posted on a Snapchat story that they “heard a student would bring a gun to school.”

School officials said that no screenshots or specifics were provided.

"We immediately notified the police and have been working collaboratively with them to investigate the matter," the email stated. "We have been unable to identify the individual(s) responsible, so we are taking additional security measures as a precaution."

School officials commended the students for reporting the threat and said "we want to assure you that we are doing all we can to protect our students and staff. Their safety and security are of utmost importance to us. To this end, we are committed to communicating with you about school safety precautions."

The school district uses Safe2Say, an anonymous tip line, to alert officials to any individual who may be struggling and/or in danger of causing harm to themselves or others. Every tip is investigated.

The email was signed by Smith, Pennwood Principal Derek Majikas, and Assistant Principal Ryan Kennedy.