FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, April 6, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Whitman and Hanson Police Investigate Threat Made Toward High School

Police Determined There Was No Credible Threat

WHITMAN — Whitman Police Chief Scott D. Benton and Hanson Police Chief Michael Miksch report that police have determined there was no credible threat against Whitman-Hanson Regional High School after receiving an anonymous tip about a student that had been allegedly making threats.

At approximately 10 p.m. Thursday, April 5, Whitman Police received a message through their online anonymous tip program from a student that a 16-year-old student had been making threats to shoot up the high school.

Officers from Whitman and Hanson immediately launched a joint investigation into the matter and located and interviewed the student in question.

No charges have been filed against the student. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

At no point were students or faculty in any danger. Out of an abundance of caution both police departments provided an extra presence at the school on Friday.

“I want to commend the student who demonstrated the courage to provide us with this tip through our anonymous tip line. Any comments about harming others will be treated with the utmost seriousness and vigilance. The safety of the students and our communities is our top priority,” Chief Benton said. “I would also like to thank Superintendent Ruth C. Gilbert-Whitner and Principal Jeff Szymaniak for their assistance every step of the way with this situation.”

Chief Miksch said, “Detectives made quick work of locating and speaking with the suspect and were able to determine that there was no credibility to the threats. Great work by officers from both Hanson and Whitman in quickly resolving this issue. We want to remind everyone that if they see or hear any suspicious activity to immediately report it to police.”

In an unrelated event, at 9:55 a.m. on Friday, the fire alarm sounded at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School and the school was evacuated.

It was determined that a trip switch on a sprinkler valve failed, causing the alarm to go off.

The students were let back into the school by 10:10 a.m. and were dismissed from school at 10:15 a.m. because they had a scheduled early release day.

Anyone with any questions or concerns is asked to call the Whitman Police Department at 781-447-1212, the Hanson Police Department at 781-293-4625 or contact school officials.

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