Suspicious Device Prompts Evacuations, Early Dismissal At Shaler High School
SHALER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) - Students at Shaler Area High School were evacuated and then dismissed from school early Wednesday as a precaution due to a suspicious device that was found on school property.
According to school and police officials, a suspicious device was found in the high school's auditorium on Sunday. After the district was made aware of the find, administrators called police and the investigation began.
"There was a device found," said Lt. J. Sean Frank, of Shaler Township Police. "It appeared it could have been an explosive device. It was found on Sunday afternoon at an event that was being held at the school."
The device was a three-inch plastic tube, which is now being examined by the Allegheny County Bomb Squad.
"It was a small plastic device that had a piece of duct tape on it, probably three inches in length, maybe one inch in diameter," said Lt. Frank.
The evacuation began around 12:30 p.m. and the buses were then called in for the early dismissal.
Five bomb-sniffing dogs were sent inside the school ono Wednesday afternoon, but nothing was found. The building has been deemed safe and classes will go on as planned on Thursday.
"We are all parents as well; we're going to try to get to the bottom of this," Lt. Frank said. "The school is investigating their people, we will investigate the possibility of a crime occurring here."
Shaler High School released this statement:
"The safety and security of our staff and students is our top priority, and we are fully cooperating with local law enforcement agencies who are conducting the ongoing investigation of this incident to ensure that goal."
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