Student cited for weapons threat at Hempfield High School

On April 12, Township Police responded to the high school at 200 Stanley Avenue, Landisville, after school officials received a report of a possible threat involving weapons.

Officers learned that a student reported seeing social media (KIK) messages from another student who referenced a shooting.  The message was seen in the morning and conveyed to school officials after lunch.  The student who received the social media message then told others about the possibility of a shooting.  The student was identified and isolated.  He indicated that it was a joke and he believed that everyone knew that it was a joke.

Regardless of the assertion of it being a joke, the Hempfield School District and the East Hempfield Township Police take every threat seriously.  A lock down was instituted by the school to maintain safety for students while allowing police and school officials to thoroughly determine the validity of the threat and search for weapons.

Through the investigation no weapons were located.  At no time were any students or staff in danger, and it was ultimately determined that no real threat existed. The student’s comments created unrest in the school and community which required precautionary measures to be taken by the police and school district.

The Police Department encourages parents to talk to their children about the incident so that it can serve as an example of topics that should not be taken lightly. Humor or intent cannot be determined in a written text message, therefore such comments must be interpreted in a literal context.  Joking or making light of serious issues like school violence are inappropriate and cannot be tolerated.  Police also encourage parents to talk to their children about the importance of reporting things right away.