No one was injured, Springfield Police Division Capt. Michael Kranz said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s tragic that we had to go through this, but it’s great no one was injured in it,” he said. “All the students, all the faculty, all the staff at the school were all safe. And that’s the best outcome for all of this.”
The Springfield Police Division responded to the school Tuesday after receiving a call just before 10 a.m. about a possible shooter at the school.
“Help, help, there’s an active shooter at Catholic Central, help,” the caller told dispatchers before ending the call after being asked what their name was.
Police arrived at the school within minutes of the call being made and searched the building, finding no sign of a threat, Krantz said.
Police are investigating the origin of the call. It’s unclear what charges would come forward, Kranz said.
The city released a statement after the call was deemed by law enforcement as a hoax.
“Springfield police have once again received a call of an active shooter at Catholic Central School, 1200 E. High St. There is NOT a shooter, and this call appears to be false. Springfield police are on scene, and students and staff are safe,” according to the statement.
School closed as a result of the hoax call. The reunification process for parents and students took place at St. Bernard’s Church, the school announced.
Catholic Central is home to more than 400 students in kindergarten through the 12th grade.
“The mission is the safety of kids,” said Catholic Central president Mike Raiff.
He said per state regulations, students undergo safety drills during the school year.
Tuesday’s lockdown comes a month after the school was on lockdown following the Sept. 23 false report of an active shooter being at Catholic Central.
Krantz said investigators do not believe the call made Tuesday is connected to the September call.
Other Ohio schools, including Belmont High School in Dayton, Princeton High School in suburban Cincinnati and Licking Valley Local Schools in Newark, saw similar false calls that same day.
NPR has found local reports indicating 182 schools in 28 states received false calls about threats between Sept. 13 and Oct. 21. These have prompted a response known as “swatting.”
Swatting is a form of weaponizing fear and involves making a claim that draws first responders and law enforcement to the location of the said incident, straining their resources. It sparks concern throughout communities, especially those that have previously endured actual active shooter and mass casualty incidents.
Raiff said he initially felt anger by the second false report.
“This goes beyond just an infraction,” he said. “It goes to the mental and emotional psyche of all our students, faculty and staff and all the families we serve.”
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