Multiple schools in Northeast Ohio placed on lockdown amid alleged threats

Rocky River High School went into lockdown late Thursday morning after receiving a phone call threat of violence, according to district officials. The school said the call came in at 10:53 a.m., prompting an immediate lockdown. The Westshore Enforcement Bureau responded to the scene. Law enforcement has since deemed the building safe and the district announced an early dismissal plan for students at Rocky River High School. According to the district: - 12:30 p.m.: Students who drive will be dismissed via the P.A. announcement system - 1 p.m.: Students who walk or are being picked up by parents/guardians will be dismissed. Parents/guardians should use the Detroit Road entrance and loop in front of RRHS Other district buildings remain on a soft lockdown but will dismiss at their normal times, school officials said. District-wide, all practices, competitions and after-school activities have been canceled for the day. "Initial indications from law enforcement suggest this may be a Swatting incident occurring across the state today. There will be a continued law enforcement presence on all district buildings this afternoon, including RRHS," said the Rocky River City School District in a statement. Rocky River police posted on Facebook that there are no indications that there was "ever any danger to any of the students, staff or buildings of the district." "RRPD assures that any person or people behind hoax threat calls will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Expect a heavy police presence in and around the Rocky River Schools for the remainder of the day and throughout the week," continued police in a Facebook post. SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN NORTHEAST OHIO 3News has also learned of similar incidents on Thursday involving other Northeast Ohio schools. Shaker Heights High School was placed on lockdown as a precaution after a call about a possible bomb threat outside the building. The Shaker Heights Police Department is investigating. The district said there is no evidence at this time that the threat is credible and activities are continuing as normal. In Lake County, the Auburn Career Center in Concord Township received a threat over the telephone at approximately 9:45 a.m. March 4, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. "At this time, there is no active threat at the Auburn Career Center. Multiple deputy sheriffs will remain on scene to insure the safety of students and facility before the lockdown is canceled," said the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Story link: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/education/ohio-swatting-rocky-river-high-school-shaker-heights-lake-county-auburn-career-center-in-concord-township/95-513bf8fa-2312-4cf3-a542-825e9f9d6a0b