Alliance High School was placed on lockdown last Monday as law enforcement and first responders investigated a bomb threat that was received, which was determined to be a false call, part of a trend of swatting incidents that have affected multiple communities in the Panhandle.
All other schools in the Alliance Public Schools district were placed on a temporary hold status during the investigation.
Alliance Police Department Chief David Leavitt, in a press release issued Monday morning, said that the lockdown was initiated, and students and staff evacuated to ensure safety. Students were bussed from the high school to the Knight Museum, where they were reunified with their parents or guardians.
An investigation was conducted by law enforcement and the threat was deemed not credible.
“The investigation has determined this incident to be a false call and part of an apparent swatting trend that has impacted multiple communities across the region today,” Leavitt said in a press release. “The safety of our students, school staff, and community remains our highest priority. We appreciate the patience, cooperation, and professionalism shown by school officials, parents, students, and responding personnel throughout the incident.”
Leavitt thanked the agencies that assisted in the investigation.
“The Alliance Police Department would like to thank all responding agencies for their assistance and coordinated response, including the Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Technicians, Scottsbluff bomb technicians, Alliance Fire Department, and additional assisting agencies,” said Leavitt.