SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 9, 2022 (Gephardt Daily) — A bomb threat at East High School sent students home early Friday afternoon while police investigated the report.
Salt Lake City police say an employee at the high school, 840 S. 1300 East, received information about a possible bomb threat “mid-morning” Friday.
Police K-9 units searched the school for explosive materials but found no threat to campus, according to a 3:15 p.m. tweet from the police department.
“After an extensive search, we have determined there is no threat and the campus is safe,” the tweet states.
Students were evacuated quickly and safely Friday afternoon, and the remainder of the school day was canceled, Salt Lake City School District officials said.
Police also responded to reports on social media that gunshots had been heard at the Salt Lake City high school.
“We are aware of reports circulating on social media about gunshots being heard at East High School. Based on our preliminary investigation, there is no validity to those reports. Our officers are still inside the school continuing their search,” the department tweeted at 2:15 p.m.
The district opted to evacuate the school and end the school day early, police said.
District officials said the threat was “called into the school.”
“Students are safe, and we are working closely with police to investigate the situation,” according to a 12:28 p.m. tweet from the school district.
Students were instructed to take their phones, leave everything else behind, and follow teachers to a safe location.
Students who ride the bus to school were able to take buses home at 1:30 p.m., according to the school district.
Parents were invited to pick up their students from the Baptist church on the corner of 800 South and 1300 East, district officials said. All students were released by 2 p.m.
The FBI also responded to assist police in the search.
Police closed 1300 East between 800 South and 900 South during the investigation.
Anyone with information about the bomb threat is asked to call 801-799-3000.
