ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — Multiple school districts across the state received threats Wednesday morning, prompting schools to go on lockdown.
Among those in Northeast Ohio was Rocky River.
Rocky River Police Chief George Lichman said during a press conference that around 10:53 a.m., the Rocky River High School main office received a call saying that a person was on the way to the school with weapons.
The school was placed under a lockdown, and other schools within the district went under a soft lockdown.
The Rocky River police press conference:
Lichman said police were notified when the school was put on lockdown, and about 30 officers from five different agencies responded to the scene. News 5 crews saw Rocky River, Lakewood, Fairview Park, Bay Village and North Olmsted police on scene.
The chief said similar incidents were occurring across the state simultaneously and believes it was a swatting call.
Police completed two searches of the school and did not find anything threatening to the students or staff, Lichman said.
Bomb-sniffing dogs are also doing a search of the school, he said during the press conference.
As a result of the swatting call, Rocky River's Beach School dismissal was delayed, and West Shore Career Tech students who are off-site remained off-site, the district said. The district's high school was dismissed at 1 p.m.
A News 5 viewer told us police were seen escorting children from the preschool for parents to pick them up.
Rocky River Police said there will be a heavy police presence at the school for the remainder of the week.
"Investigation revealed that similar calls were received in school districts around the state today," Rocky River Police said in a statement. "The investigation into the phone call continues. RRPD assures that any person or people behind hoax threat calls will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
According to Lichman, the caller did not have a local number, and police are investigating the origin of the call. Swatting calls are considered a fourth-degree felony, but other charges could apply for involving a school.
Other Northeast Ohio schools
News 5 received reports of other schools in similar situations.
In Lake County, the Auburn Career Center received a threat around 9:45 a.m. and was placed on lockdown.
Students were kept in rooms.
Auburn was on lockdown until deputies arrived on the scene. Law enforcement was no longer present around 12:20 p.m.
Chief Deputy Robert Izzo with the Lake County Sheriff's Office said the caller who made the threat to the school was not local, but appeared to be a similar number responsible for threats to other schools.
Afternoon and evening classes at the career center have been canceled out of caution, the school said.
“We want to thank the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for their immediate response and partnership during this situation,” said Superintendent Joe Glavan. “I also want to thank our staff and students for following procedures and doing exactly what was necessary to ensure everyone’s safety. While this threat was ultimately deemed not credible, we will always prioritize the safety of our students and staff.”
Shaker Heights High School and two elementary schools were placed under lockdown on Wednesday after receiving a possible bomb threat.
The lockdown took place as the high school was in the midst of Pre-ACT and ACT testing, Shaker Heights Police said.
Police were on site at the high school and found no evidence of a credible threat, and high school students were released as planned after testing.
Activities throughout the district are continuing as normal, police said.
Across Ohio
The ABC affiliate in Toledo reports that schools in Ottawa Hills were also under lockdown.
Similar threats were made to Columbus Schools, as well as Indian Hill High School and Middle School in Cincinnati, Eastern Local Schools in Brown County, and Bowling Green's high school and middle school, all of which were under lockdown.
FBI Cleveland released the following statement regarding Wednesday's lockdowns:
"Most swatting cases are handled by local and state law enforcement agencies, however, FBI Cleveland is aware of the perceived swatting calls and remains ready to assist if requested.
Please keep in mind, swatting puts innocent people at risk. Making false threats drains law enforcement resources and can cause significant distress or physical injury to first responders and others. Additionally, swatting can cost thousands of dollars every time law enforcement is called to respond. The public is reminded to call local law enforcement if their company or organization has been targeted."
