Rochester Catholic Schools dismissed students early in the school day Thursday after receiving a bomb threat that turned out to be a hoax.
The Rochester Police Department said at a news conference Thursday morning that the school system's main office received a threatening phone call at about 9 a.m., and moments later, another bomb threat call was made to Holy Spirit Catholic School. Rochester Catholic Schools said it evacuated students from Holy Spirit to a local public elementary school out of an abundance of caution and then dismissed all students early from four other Catholic schools in town.
Rochester police say law enforcement quickly determined there were no credible threats to any of the schools.
“We want to reassure you that all students and staff are safe,” Rochester Catholic Schools president Tina Monosmith wrote in an email to parents this morning. “We are continuing to work closely with local authorities.”
This incident occurred just a week after a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis killed two children and left 21 others injured.
The police department said in a press release that it seems that Rochester’s Catholic schools may be the latest victim of a swatting incident, an illegal prank involving a false report of a serious crime in the hopes of drawing S.W.A.T. and other tactical law enforcement teams to a certain location.
“Nationally, educational institutions have been the target of swatting incidents very similar to what was experienced today,” Rochester police wrote in a statement. “Preliminary investigation indicates today’s calls did not originate in Minnesota.”
Rochester Public Schools said in a press release that it did not receive any threats to any of its school buildings.
