False Report Leads To Large Police Response At LI Middle School

HEMPSTEAD, NY — A fake call to 911 sparked a massive police response at a Hempstead middle school on Monday.

According to police, a call was made to 911 at 1:30 p.m. about a threat to the students and staff at Lawrence Road Middle School in Hempstead, part of the Uniondale School District. According to Newsday, the caller said they were being held hostage in a classroom by a man with a gun.

Nassau County and Hempstead police departments responded to the school. All the children sheltered in place while officers searched room to room. They did not find anyone with a gun or any evidence of threats to students.

According to the district, the incident may have been part of a social media prank that is occurring in schools around the country.

Once the area was deemed safe, the students were dismissed. Police say the students acted admirably in the situation, staying calm and allowing the search to progress smoothly.

"The district administration thanks the Nassau County Police Department for its immediate and swift response, and we appreciate our Lawrence Road students' and families' patience while the school was in lockdown," Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil wrote in a letter to families. "I also commend our Lawrence Road Middle School administration and faculty for their poise and for acting quickly to put the systems our District has established into action to keep our students and community safe."

Police are still investigating the false report. Anyone with information is asked to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.