No threat found at GFHS; police believe it was swatting incident
On Dec. 5 around 9:40 a.m., officials received a report of a possible suicidal person with a firearm inside Great Falls High School.
The school was immediately placed in lockdown and law enforcement officers from Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Probation and Parole, and U.S. Marshal Service responded, according to GFPD.
GFPS, GFPD conduct active shooter training for school employees
All other GFPS schools were sheltered in place as a precautionary measure, according to GFPD.
Law enforcement conducted a thorough search of GFHS and within 20 minutes of the original report, Sgt. Katie Cunningham, who leads the school resource offices and is based at GFHS, declared the school clear of threats.
Lt. Matt Fleming of GFPD said other schools across Montana, and the county, had received similar threats and they believe them to be “swatting” incidents.
GFPD provides update on school threat, schools operate normally Thursday [January 2024]
Swatting involves the practice of making a fictitious call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed law enforcement officers to a particular address, according to GFPD.
Threats were also reported in Billings; St. Cloud, Fla; Fairview Park, Symmes Valley and Toledo in Ohio.
“GFPD and Great Falls Public Schools will always take threats to our schools seriously, and will respond accordingly. We are grateful for the patience and cooperation of parents, students, and school staff as we work together to ensure safety for everyone effected,” GFPD said in a release.
