Salem High School Shelter-In-Place Ordered Amid Active Shooter Hoax

SALEM, MA — An active shooter threat that sent Salem High School and the Horace Mann Laboratory School into "shelter-in-place" status late Monday was determined to have been a hoax, according to police.

Salem police said at about 11:10 a.m. on Monday that the school received a call with reference to an active shooter on campus. Both schools were sent into shelter-in-place mode in response to the call while police responded.

"Everyone is safe and the resulting police investigation determined that this was a hoax call," police said. "During this time, no one was allowed to enter or exit the building, and students and staff were contained in their classrooms."

Police said the shelter-in-place lasted about 30 minutes and that this was determined to be the latest case of a "swatting" hoax call meant to cause disruption to schools and other community activities.

"Swatting incidents, unfortunately, are not uncommon in schools in Massachusetts and nationwide," police said. "In the last few weeks, many schools have received phone calls and emails conveying threats, all of which have proven to be unsubstantiated.

"We understand that situations like this may be anxiety-provoking for students and adults alike. While a shelter-in-place can be unsettling, school administrators prioritized the well-being of students and staff throughout"

Police said a presence will remain on campus throughout the rest of Monday "out of an abundance of caution."