Marblehead High Students Dismissed After Threat Reported On Monday

Updated 4:45 p.m.

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead High School students were dismissed at 2:45 p.m. on Monday about 90 minutes after the school was put in a "hold in place" order when a threat of a person with a gun was called into the police station.

Superintendent Theresa McGuinness said there was a "significant presence of the Marblehead Police Department" on the scene investigating the threat early Monday afternoon but that after a sweep of the school "it was determined there was no identifiable and credible threat."

McGuinness said that the caller reported that the person "had a gun" inside the school.

"We immediately enacted our safety protocols to ensure that the safety of our students and staff was secured, and the high school was placed in a Hold Passing," she said in an update to families late Monday afternoon. "A search was conducted of every classroom and backpacks by the MPD and school administrators, out of an abundance of caution.

"There were no weapons found."

Marblehead police are continuing the investigation to determine who was responsible for the call.

"In situations like this, students and staff members may have residual fear or discomfort from the experience," McGuinness said, adding that the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council was planned to be at the school assisting staff on Tuesday morning.