(This story was updated to add new information.)
The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office has reported that no explosives were found after a bomb threat was called into the office at Dunlap High School on Friday afternoon.
According to a Facebook post, the school received a call at about 12:30 p.m. Friday. The caller reported that explosive devices had been placed inside vehicles located in the high school parking lot. Deputies from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Peoria Police Department Bomb Squad and Dunlap Fire Department, responded immediately.
Out of an abundance of caution, the parking lot and school were thoroughly searched and cleared. No explosive devices or threats were located, and the scene has been deemed safe, the sheriff’s office said.
Dunlap Community Unit School District 323 assistant superintendent Matt Andrews said in an email to parents that students were safely evacuated to the football field as a precaution. The building was been swept to ensure all left the premises, and staff took attendance to ensure all students were accounted for.
“The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority,” Andrews added. “We are actively monitoring the situation and working with the appropriate authorities. We will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.”
Based on information gathered and similar incidents reported across the country, the sheriff’s office believes the incident is part of a nationwide trend of “swatting” calls targeting schools. Several similar threats have been reported this week, including incidents in Illinois, according to the sheriff.
“We understand situations like this can cause concern for students, parents, and staff,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Please know that the safety of our community is always our highest priority. We appreciate the cooperation of school officials, students, parents, and responding agencies who helped ensure a safe and orderly response.”
Detectives will continue to investigate the incident. The sheriff’s office said students were sent back to the high school for 3 p.m. dismissal as usual.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Dunlap High School bomb threat likely a ‘swatting’ incident, police say
Reporting by Mike Kramer, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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