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VSP: Vermont schools receive apparent fake shooting threats

VERMONT (NEWS10) — A series of hoax phone calls targeting K-12 schools across the state of Vermont that reported false shootings is under investigation. Vermont State Police said 21 schools were targeted.

The calls were received between 8:40 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. Wednesday at the main line of a dispatch center, police department or town office. All of the threats were determined to be unfounded.

VSP are working with local and federal law enforcement partners to investigate the calls, which have been deemed similar to other incidents taking place nationwide. The Vermont investigation has determined all the calls were placed using a voice over the internet protocol (VOIP) service. None originated from a spoofed 802 area code. The calls were also made by a person and are not believed to have been automated.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott released a statement regarding the threats:

“These calls were a hoax—an act of terrorism designed to create chaos and stoke fear that can be exploited. These events are unnerving for everyone – students, teachers, parents, and Vermonters. We can use this energy to come together because unity is the most powerful way to ensure terrorists do not achieve their goals. I want to thank the Vermont State Police, local law enforcement, and emergency response offices across the state for acting quickly and professionally based on the initial calls. My office, the Agency of Education, Vermont State Police, Vermont Intelligence Center and local partners will continue to monitor this situation closely, and in the days ahead, after all the facts are gathered, we will debrief on this incident to strengthen our response.”

The following schools were targeted by the calls:

  1. Alburgh Community Education Center – Alburgh, VT
  2. Brattleboro High School – Brattleboro, VT
  3. Christ the King School – Rutland, VT
  4. Colchester High School – Colchester, VT
  5. East Burke School – East Burke, VT
  6. Enosburgh High School – Enosburgh, VT
  7. Essex High School – Essex, VT
  8. Fair Haven High School – Fair Haven, VT
  9. Grace Christian School – Bennington, VT
  10. Middlebury Union High School – Middlebury, VT
  11. Milton High School – Milton, VT
  12. Missisquoi Valley Union High School – Swanton, VT
  13. Montpelier High School – Montpelier, VT
  14. Newport City Elementary School – Newport, VT
  15. North Country Union High School – Newport, VT
  16. North Country Union Junior High School – Derby, VT
  17. Otter Valley Union High School – Brandon, VT
  18. Randolph Union High School – Randolph, VT
  19. Rice Memorial High School – South Burlington, VT
  20. St. Albans City Elementary School – St Albans, VT
  21. United Christian Academy – Newport, VT