Albany County School Received Three Shooting Threats in 24 Hour Span

If you're a parent of a child in the Bethlehem Central School District, it's only natural to feel slightly unnerved by the number of notifications from the school superintendent over the last 24 hours.  During that time, multiple alerts were sent out through the ParentSquare app, informing parents about an anonymous caller threatening to "shoot up" the school.

This is a breaking news story. If and when we get more information, we'll keep you informed. 

First Threat Came on Tuesday Evening

Faculty and staff alerted parents who have children in the Bethlehem Central School District that the high school and middle school would have increased police on Wednesday following an anonymous threat by an unidentified person who said they were going to "shoot up" the school.

The increased police presence followed an anonymous phone threat received by the Bethlehem Police Department on Sept. 10. In the phone call, an individual threatened to “shoot up Bethlehem High School.”

"Threats of violence in our schools will not be tolerated and these types of threats will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We ask that all families engage in important conversations with their children about seeking out a trusted adult if they feel unsafe, hear threats of violence, or see or hear of language or behaviors that may be out of the ordinary." BSCD

Immediate Investigation

According to the notification, the caller did not identify themselves. Still, upon receiving the threat, Bethlehem Police immediately began an investigation and established safety protocols to ensure children's safety.

On Wednesday morning, police executed a “sweep” of the high school utilizing several officers and K9 patrol dogs, eventually determining that the school was safe enough for students to attend.

Police and school district officials are asking anyone who may have information related to this call to contact the police department at 518-439-9973 or to call 911.

Two More Threats Came in Later on Wednesday

According to the superintendent of Bethlehem Schools, two additional calls were made to the Bethlehem Police Department threatening gun violence on Wednesday.

The first came on Wednesday afternoon, and the anonymous caller threatened to target outdoor activities at the high school. The caller allegedly made a threat toward the football team.

This forced the BCSD to go on an after-school lockdown, ensuring the safety of all coaches, players, and staff. At around 6:15 on Wednesday, the lockdown was lifted, and everyone was deemed safe.

Third Threat Came Late Last Evening

And then, late last evening, another message from the school about another threat came in. BCSD Superintendent Jody Monroe informed parents within the community that "The Bethlehem Police Department received calls tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 11, regarding tomorrow (Thursday) at Bethlehem Central Middle School and Bethlehem Central High School. This is the third call in 24 hours, similar to those received on Tuesday evening."

Monroe said that the Bethlehem Police Department will have additional officers at both schools tomorrow, as well as patrols and personnel assigned to all elementary schools.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the Bethlehem Police Department at 518-439-9973 or call 911.