North Hills Evacuates Junior High School After Threat Appears on Restroom Wall

North Hills school officials evacuated the at about 8:50 a.m. Thursday in response to a written threat discovered on a restroom wall. 

The threat was general but referenced a specific part of the school that was then searched by police officers who canvassed the area with search dogs, said spokesman Sgt. Benjamin Dripps. 

Dripps declined to provide more details about the threat.

"At no time was anybody's safety jeopardized," Dripps said. 

Police found no weapons or other items of concern. The incident will be investigated further in order to identify the individual responsible. 

Junior high students were moved to the senior high school, according to a statement released by North Hills School District spokeswoman Tina Vojtko. 

They returned to classes at about 10:45 a.m.

“We appreciate the swift and professional response of our local police departments,” said superintendent Patrick J. Mannarino in the release.  

“We value their partnership and expertise in helping to keep our schools and community safe.”

Dripps said police do not believe the incident at the school Thursday is related to In that incident, police and seurity personnel evacuated the mall and blocked access to it for several hours after mall employee found a note on a wall in one of the mall's public restrooms with the bomb threat.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Beth Williams, North Hills Junior High principal, at 412-318-1450 or the Ross Township Police Department at 412-931-9070.  In addition, information can be reported on the district’s anonymous tip-line 412-318-1111.