Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
WALTHAM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Students at McDevitt Middle School in Waltham left their backpacks at home on Monday after the online threat of a school shooting was made against students and staff.
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The threat was made over the weekend on Snapchat, prompting school officials to make the decision, which will only be in effect for Monday.
The school district’s superintendent said in a statement that “the safety and well-being of students, staff, and the entire school community are their top priorities."
Waltham Police said in a Facebook post that there will be an increased presence of police at the school on Monday, including police presence “at each corner and on every floor of the [school] building.”
Waltham Chief of Police Kevin O’Connell told WBZ NewsRadio he hopes that the presence of law enforcement will help put students and staff at ease.
“That’s why they are going to see a heavy police presence and it will probably continue through the week, and we are giving extra attention to all our schools [in the district] today,” said O’Connell.
O’Connell also said that prohibiting backpacks makes it easier, so kids don’t need to be searched.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and Waltham Police are now cooperating with Snapchat and federal law enforcement.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
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