Anonymous Caller Threatens to ‘Shoot Up’ Bethlehem High School

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

Threat to Shoot Up the School

A Parentsquare notification alerted the Bethlehem community at around 7 am on Wednesday, saying, "There will be increased police presence at the high school, middle school, and across the district today, Wednesday, Sept. 11. The increased police presence follows an anonymous phone threat received by the Bethlehem Police Department last night, 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.

The email to parents informed them that "The investigation included a “sweep” of the high school early this morning by several officers and by K9 patrol dogs. Police will provide added patrols at all schools while the investigation continues."

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.