Threat Prompts Lockdown At Newburyport High School

NEWBURYPORT (CBS) – Newburyport High School students were placed in lockdown Tuesday morning after a threat was emailed in to the school.

Superintendent of Schools Susan L. Viccaro said that at about 8:30 a.m. a staff member received a threatening email, which prompted the lockdown. Classes resumed by 9 a.m. after police investigated the threat.

Newburyport police said at about 9:45 a.m. that students were "in class & safe." Police from Newburyport and surrounding towns were at the school throughout the morning.

"The cooperative efforts of police, school and district administrators, staff and students, were appreciated and ensured the safety of all," said Viccaro.

Police arrested a 16-year-old boy after finding a butterfly knife with his property. Police, however, do not believe the boy was connected to the email threat.

City Marshal Thomas H. Howard thanked the police departments who responded to the scene Tuesday morning.

"I want to thank our neighboring communities and the State Police for providing such a tremendous mutual aid response to Newburyport today," Marshal Howard said. "This was an efficient, measured action by police, responding to a threat. What is important is that our children are safe, and no one was hurt today."

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