SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Police have released new information about a threat reported to have been made against Sault Area Public Schools.
On the morning of April 10, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department responded to a reported threat involving the Sault Area Public Schools campus. The department says that while the investigation remains ongoing, information obtained thus far indicates the incident is consistent with a hoax commonly referred to as “swatting.”
Swatting is a law enforcement term used to describe false reports of serious or violent incidents made to prompt a large-scale emergency response, often targeting schools or other public institutions. In this case, an unidentified male claimed he intended to come to the campus with a firearm to carry out a shooting inside and outside the building.
Investigators have determined this incident was part of a broader national swatting effort, with school districts in Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, New York, Georgia, California, and Wisconsin receiving identical or similar threats on the same day and within a similar timeframe. At this time, there is no evidence to indicate a credible or imminent threat associated with the call received by Sault Area Public Schools.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Department will continue coordinating with affected jurisdictions and appropriate state and federal partners as the investigation continues. As a precaution, there will be an increased law enforcement presence on and around school campuses beginning Monday, April 13, and continuing through the week. The intent is to provide reassurance and support a safe learning environment.
Sault Ste. Marie Police Department officials say they appreciate the community’s cooperation, as the safety of students and staff remains the highest priority. Anyone who has information about the incident is asked to contact Sault Ste. Marie Police Department Detective/Sgt. Gapczynski at (906) 632-5744.
