Canyon View High School in Waddell emptied out in a hurry Thursday after officials reported a bomb threat, sending students and staff out of classrooms and onto the football field while officers swept the campus. Classes were canceled for the rest of the day, no injuries were reported, and authorities described the situation as still developing.
In a brief statement to FOX 10 Phoenix, Buckeye Police spokesperson Carissa Planalp said, "Students and staff have been evacuated to the football field and officers are working to clear the campus out of an abundance of caution." The department also posted on X that classes at Canyon View High were canceled for the day while officers finished checking the grounds.
Part of a larger wave of school threats
According to ABC15, the Canyon View scare was one of several threats reported at Arizona high schools on the same day, with police agencies across the Valley responding. The outlet reported that deputies from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office were on scene at Canyon View and that searches turned up no suspicious device. ABC15 also reported that investigators were tracking leads that may involve two juveniles and that law enforcement statewide is treating possible hoax threats as a serious crime, not a prank.
School response and district information
Canyon View is part of the Agua Fria Union High School District. The school lists its campus in Buckeye and provides phone numbers and campus safety resources on its website for families looking for information. FOX 10 Phoenix reported that district officials had not immediately responded to requests for comment while officers continued working on campus Thursday afternoon.
Legal consequences for hoax threats
ABC15 noted that the FBI has warned that posting or making hoax threats, including on social media, can amount to a federal offense with serious consequences, including potential prison time. Depending on what investigators find and whether the threats crossed state lines, both local and federal prosecutors can decide whether to pursue state charges, federal charges, or both.
Buckeye Police and Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies remained at Canyon View as searches continued. Officials said they would provide updates when more information is available, and authorities and local media are continuing to follow the investigation.
