Portland Schools on Lockdown Following False Gun Threat

PORTLAND, CT (WFSB) – Students and staff at Portland middle and high schools experienced a nearly five-hour lockdown on Monday afternoon following an anonymous gun threat. The schools announced a two-hour delay for Tuesday as many students returned home well after their typical dismissal time.

The lockdown was initiated after school staff received an anonymous alert through the «Say Something» app, as confirmed by the Portland Police Department. The tip suggested that a seventh-grade student at Portland Middle School claimed possession of a gun and issued a threat.

«Having pinged off that tower, it added some credibility that there might have been a gun in the school here today,» stated Officer Paul Liseo of the Portland Police Department.

The lockdown, which impacted over 600 students and staff, required police officers to conduct an exhaustive room-by-room search. The inspection involved personnel from several departments, including Middletown police, Glastonbury police, and Connecticut State Police, and was supported by a Meriden K-9 unit. Officers employed metal detectors to ensure no weapons were present.

During the tense standoff, seventh-grader Hayden described the atmosphere as unsettling: «We had to sit in the bathroom the whole time and were sitting on top of the toilet because at that time, we didn’t know what was going on,» Hayden explained.

As police continued the operation, streets near the schools were sealed off, leaving parents anxiously waiting for information. Many parents arrived at the usual pick-up times, only to find that the school district could not specify when the students would be released.

«It was a long afternoon, and the kids got home late and it was very stressful for all parents,» stated Superintendent Charles Britton. «We care very much for all of our kids and I can only imagine that the waiting was excruciating.»

Ultimately, a student confessed that the reported threat was a hoax devised by a 13-year-old. This revelation led officers to conclude that no credible threat existed.

«This particular female student created the story, talked about it among friends that she was going to do this and then committed the crime,» Patrolman Paul Liseo stated, indicating the student could face charges such as breach of peace.

Dr. Laura Saunders, a child psychologist with Hartford HealthCare, suggested parents approach conversations about the incident cautiously. «It might be an emotional fatigue for them, and they don’t want to talk about it anymore,» Dr. Saunders advised.

Authorities continue investigating to determine if others were involved in orchestrating the hoax.