MARBLEHEAD — Interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness and Police Chief Dennis King report that Marblehead Public Schools officials and the Marblehead Police Department responded to Marblehead High School Monday afternoon after they received a report of an armed student. The threat was later determined to be unfounded.
Shortly before 1 p.m., Marblehead Police received a call from someone claiming to be inside Marblehead High School with a firearm. Police immediately responded and notified Marblehead Public Schools administration. Interim Superintendent McGuinness also responded to the High School.
The school was placed in a Hold Pass mode, meaning that no unauthorized movement was allowed in the building whatsoever.
Police began a search of the school and determined there was no apparent active threat but the caller was not identified. Both the police department and school district issued public messages to the community about the ongoing situation.
A thorough search was then undertaken, including all rooms, lockers and backpacks due to the nature and circumstances of the call. No weapons were found, and it was determined shortly before 3 p.m. that the threat of a firearm being present in the school could not be confirmed. Students were dismissed without further disruption.
The Marblehead Police Department is conducting an investigation to determine who is responsible for the call. Anyone with information about this incident can contact SRO Sean Sweeney Jr. at ssweeneyjr@marblehead.org or 781-631-1212. Superintendent McGuinness and Chief King issued a joint message to the Marblehead School Community.
Interim Superintendent McGuinness is pleased that the District’s established school safety protocols were engaged and followed effectively.