Fairfield, Conn. schools in "lockout" mode following threats
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- All 17 schools in the Fairfield, Connecticut school system are in "lockout" mode because of threats and will be following an early dismissal schedule, reports CBS affiliate WFSB.
Several of those schools received threats, according to police.
Police said around 9 a.m., a person called and said he was on Black Rock Turnpike, had killed his girlfriend and had a pipe bomb.
They checked homes in the area and considered the threat to be a possible "swatting" incident intended to draw law enforcement's attention, because nothing was found.
Then three schools, including Roger Ludlowe Middle School, Fairfield Warde High School and Holland Hill Elementary School, received threats. Roger Ludlowe and Fairfield Warde's calls referenced pipe bombs. Holland Hill's simply referenced a man in the area.
Fairfield Public Schools confirmed the threat at Fairfield Warde.
As a result, all schools in the town were locked down.
The schools were in full lockdown mode earlier Friday morning, according to the station, then racheted up to "lockout" mode. meaning no one is allowed to enter or leave the building, police said.
According to Fairfield Public Schools, there is a police presence at every school, but officers have been unable to confirm any of the threats.
Still, police said officers from neighboring towns were called in to help. They said they were working on clearing checkpoints.
Parents have been asked not to come to the schools. For updated information, however, police said they can report to the Fairfield University. School officials said they were also updating parents at Fairfield College Preparatory School's parking lot.
An emergency operations center has been opened at the police department.
Gov. Dannel Malloy said his office has been in touch with Fairfield officials and state agencies and are ready to provide assistance if needed. He said he was receiving real-time updates.