A suspect has been charged by authorities in connection with a “swatting” incident that forced Council Rock South High School into lockdown on the afternoon of Oct. 1.
The call of a gun threat triggered a massive response from multiple law enforcement agencies and caused significant disruption across the Council Rock School District.
The incident began at 1:42 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, when the Bucks County 9-1-1 center received an anonymous call.
The caller alleged “a crisis unfolding” at Council Rock South High School in Northampton Township and triggering a lockdown.
Northampton Township police, school district security personnel, and district administration quickly arrived on the scene.
Police from Newtown and Lower Southampton townships also responded to assist.
While officers responded to Council Rock South High School, Council Rock North High School stepped up security and Newtown Township police responded as a precaution.
After a thorough sweep of the high school in Northampton high school, police determined that the initial report was unfounded, and there was no credible threat to students or staff.
After an investigation led by the Northampton Township Police Department, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, and the FBI, a juvenile was formally charged this week.
Due to the suspect’s age, authorities are not releasing specific details regarding the charges or the juvenile’s identity.
Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said the arrest should send a message to those who attempt to misuse emergency resources and jeopardize school safety.
“We live in a society that the fear of a school shooting is very real,” Schorn said. “It is wholly unacceptable to allow for this type of criminal conduct to go unchecked.”
Schorn noted the burden false reports place on public safety, noting that the response to and subsequent investigation of a school swatting incident “requires the use of extraordinary resources.”
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