On Thursday, January 4, 2023, at approximately 1:10 P.M., the Newark Police Department Communications Center received a phone call from a subject claiming that they were outside of Newark High School and were planning to enter the school and shoot students and staff members.
Newark Police School Resource Officers along with Christina School District Constables, who were already at the school, immediately responded to the threatening phone call.
Additional Newark Police patrol officers also responded to the scene. Officers quickly determined that no shooting or acts of violence were taking place in or around the school. Early investigative efforts led officers to determine that this incident was a hoax or what has commonly been referred to as a “swatting” incident and there was no threat to the student body, staff, or school. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Unit responded to the scene to assume the investigation.
Newark Police Officers remained at the school to ensure the safe and peaceful dismissal of the students at the end of the school day.
Due to the new Chief of Police, Mark Farrall’s decision to switch media access off to radio broadcast FSU was unable to bring you this information. FSU learned of the incident when parents in a panic reached out to us asking us why their children were in lockdown. In the past, we were able to settle fears when similar incidents occurred.
Some parents have taken to social media to ask why it took so long for them to learn what was going on. This on a day when a school shooter in Iowa shot several people and killed himself.
“I would like to know as a parent why I am finding out on Facebook and not through the school. That is very unprofessional especially since they are quick to send an email and call your phone and text your phone when your child is absent from school for one day. They should exert the same energy if not more when our children are in danger or possibly in danger. Make it make sense”