In a press release from the Lockport Police Department, dispatch received a phone call at approximately 10:48 a.m. reporting that several students had been injured due to a shooter at the Lockport High School. The school was immediately placed in a lockdown and responding officers began to investigate.
Once the school was cleared, no shooter was found and there were no injuries to students or staff at that time.
In a statement from Lockport Schools Superintendent, Dr. Calvin alerted parents that all students and staff were safe and the high school was dismissed for the rest of the day after a final check by police. All other Lockport Schools continued to operate as normal for the rest of the day.
"Dear Parents or Guardians,
I am writing with another update on Lockport High School. At this time we are completing the building's final check with police. This should be completed within the next hour. Once this check is completed we will release the school and our other schools from lockout and/or lockdown.
Please know, once the high school buildings safety check is completed the high school will be dismissing all of its students. This should occur within the hour. All of our other schools will continue to operate as normal for the rest of the day.
With that said, all students will be sent home as we would normally dismiss them. This means students who normally ride their buses will be sent home by bus and walkers will be released to do so. Police are in the area along with district staff to support students with getting to their homes safely. This plan will allow for an orderly dismissal.
Accordingly, we are requesting that all parents meet their children at their homes instead of at the school. Please note, there will be no after-school activities today.
Later this afternoon I will be sharing more information on today's incident with the entire community.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to work through this matter."
New York State Police were made aware of swatting incidents that occurred across the state, in which a caller stated that there is an active shooter in a school. All of the reports were unfounded.
The State Police is aware of swatting incidents that have occurred across the state, in which a caller states that there is an active shooter in a school. All of the reports are unfounded. We are working alongside our federal & local partners to investigate the threats. pic.twitter.com/cr4lPfGAFD
— NewYorkStatePolice (@nyspolice) March 30, 2023
Albany Police Department said that they received reports of an active shooter at Albany High School. Police advised that the reports were completely unfounded and that all students and staff are safe.
Reports of an active shooter at Albany High School are completely unfounded. All students and staff at the school are safe. There have been several swatting phone calls made across the Capital Region and state and we’re investigating. pic.twitter.com/3dtN92d4NI
— Steve Smith (@APDSmith) March 30, 2023
Statement from Buffalo Public School Superintendent:
"I am writing to share that within the last hour, the Buffalo Public School District was notified by text message that there had been an active shooting in South Park High School. Once notified, the high school followed protocol and was placed in an immediate lockdown.
We have now learned that this information was a part of a statewide swatting incident, which is a false alarm notification, that was sent to various school districts across the state. Please be assured that all students and staff are safe within the building. The Buffalo Police are at the school and are completing a safety check of the building.
We are requesting that parents and caregivers refrain from coming to the school, as the building and area are in a lockdown. Thank you.
Dr. Tonja M. Williams, Superintendent, Buffalo Public Schools"
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Buffalo reported that they are continuing to work with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to get information. Their statement below:
“The FBI is aware of the numerous swatting incidents wherein a report of an active shooter at a school is made. The FBI takes swatting very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk. While we have no information to indicate a specific and credible threat, we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention. We urge the public to remain vigilant, and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately.”