NORTHAMPTON — Northampton High School students found themselves in lockdown on Monday morning amid reports of an active shooter on campus, a claim that was ultimately determined by police to be false.
Several NPD vehicles were dispatched to the high school at around 10 a.m. after receiving a report alleging an active shooter on school grounds. School administrators subsequently placed the school into lockdown, with officers conducting a comprehensive search of the premises upon arrival.
However, police determined that the report was ultimately unfounded and the lockdown was lifted after about 30 minutes, with students and staff then allowed to leave the building.
The school has been subject to incidents of swatting in the past, forcing the school to enter lockdown before determining the cause as a hoax.
According to NPD Capt. Corey Robinson, the call appeared to be an example of “swatting,” or falsely reporting an incident to trigger an emergency response.
“Swatting is a serious criminal offense that diverts public safety resources and causes unnecessary fear and disruption,” Robinson said in a statement. “The Northampton Police Department is working with state and federal partners to investigate the origin of the call and identify those responsible.”