Upper Merion School District Closed Due To Gun Threat

UPPER MERION, PA -- All schools in the Upper Merion School District are closed Friday after a threat of violence was made, authorities said.

The threat was made at some point on Thursday night through Twitter, and referenced someone coming to school on Friday with a handgun to commit acts of violence, Upper Merion police said.

"As soon as I can provide a substantive update I will," John Toleno, Upper Merion Superintendent of Schools, said in a statement later Friday afternoon. "At this point the Upper Merion Police and the FBI are working hard to bring this to closure. I appreciate your concern and patience."

After a brief investigation, the decision to close down the district was made early Friday morning.

Further details on the threat were not immediately available and the investigation is ongoing. Both Upper Merion police and the FBI are on the case.

"We will work through this as a community knowing that we will not allow these senseless acts of stupidity to define us," Toleno added.

The threat became public knowledge on Thursday night, leading students and parents on social media to urge the district to shut down.

This is a breaking story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Patch file photo