What should have been a routine dismissal at Medway High School turned into an abrupt evacuation Thursday afternoon, after a reported threat triggered a lockdown and campus-wide search. Students and staff who were still in the building were ordered out as police and fire crews, including K9 teams, swept the school inside and out. No injuries were reported, but the large emergency response clogged the area around the campus and left families anxiously waiting for word from officials. Local authorities later said the incident remains under investigation.
How the day unfolded
According to the Medway Public Schools, the high school's main office received a called-in bomb threat shortly after regular dismissal time. Administrators quickly evacuated the remaining students and staff while notifying emergency responders. WCVB reported the hoax call came in around 2:40 p.m., and that Medway K9 units conducted a sweep of the building's interior and exterior, finding nothing out of the ordinary.
Officials' statement
Superintendent Armand Pires wrote that "all students and staff are safe and have been dismissed" and noted that police had determined the threats were not credible, according to the Town of Medway. Town officials also announced that all after-school activities at the high school were canceled for the day and that Medway Police would maintain an additional presence on campus the following day as a precaution.
Investigation and community response
In a Facebook post, the Medway Police Department warned residents they might see a significant police and fire response in the area while the threat was investigated. Later, the department reported that "all units are clear with no further incident." Officials stressed there was no ongoing danger, even as they continued looking into the source of the hoax call.
Similar hoax calls targeting schools have popped up across the country in recent weeks, forcing lockdowns and sweeps even when no actual devices were found. Earlier in the week, WSMV reported multiple swatting incidents at schools across Tennessee that drew responses from federal and state law enforcement.
What families should know
The investigation into Thursday's threat remains active, and officials have asked anyone with information to contact the Medway Police Department, according to the Town of Medway. The town said it will share additional updates as more details become available and encouraged families with concerns to reach out to school counseling staff for support.
