Area school shooting threats deemed not credible, FBI investigating

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - The West Virginia State Police said a call similar to those made about active shooters at schools across the state was also made to Charleston Area Medical Center to accept patients involved within or related to the incident.

The WVSP is working with local authorities and the FBI to determine the threat level.

Authorities said no information has been received that confirmed any injuries in the incident.

Anyone who receives similar information is asked to contact law enforcement at 1-800-CALL-FBI or local law enforcement.

Reports of active shootings at several schools in 12 counties across West Virginia are not credible, officials said.

Calls about active shooters came simultaneously around 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Law enforcement agencies responded to multiple schools, including several in Marion County, RCB High School in Clarksburg and Morgantown High School.

Marion County Superintendent Donna Hage told 5 News the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Homeland Security have been in contact with state agencies and that there “is no credible threat related to these calls being received throughout the state.”

The Morgantown Police Department said a man called 911 saying he was a teacher at Morgantown High and that seven students had been shot in his classroom. MPD said the call was a hoax, and no threat was present at the school.

The person who called 911 in Harrison County also said several students were shot at Robert C. Byrd High School, according to the Harrison County Board of Education. The school was placed on a precautionary Code Yellow as authorities cleared the school of any potential threats before being put back to a Code Green.

Out of an abundance of caution, there will be extra patrols at Harrison County schools periodically throughout the week, according to the BOE.

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office also said Elkins High School was one of the schools called. Sheriff Elbon said the call “supposedly” originates from Kenya.

The Harrison County School District said there was a prank call to the police that people were shot at Robert C. Byrd High School.

We have become aware of a prank call to the police that people were shot at Robert C. Byrd High School. Law enforcement agencies have cleared the building and have determined it to be a non-credible threat. At no time was the health and safety of the students and staff compromised.

According to the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department, calls of an active shooter at schools throughout West Virginia are coming from someone out of state.

There has been a individual from out of state who is calling numerous schools in West Virginia reporting an active shooter. Local Law Enforcement from the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police and the Philippi Police Department assisted the Barbour County Board of Education to ensure there is no threat here at this time. This incident is under further investigation with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Clarksburg Police Department said other city schools are being checked as a precaution after receiving a false active shooter threat at Robert C. Byrd High School.

A report of an active shooter was reported at Robert C. Byrd High School and multiple other schools throughout the state. The threat at R.C.B had been deemed not credible. Clarksburg PD along with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department arrived within minutes of the call, immediately entered the school and cleared the entire building and it’s adjacent buildings on campus.

Clarksburg PD is currently checking other city schools as a precaution and will being doing extra patrols throughout the day to ensure the safety of students and staff of these schools.

Randolph County Schools will remain in contact with local law enforcement as an investigation into the calls continue, according to a Facebook post.

Randolph County Schools is aware of telephone calls that have been made throughout the state of alleged threats of active shooters. According to the Department of Homeland Security, there is no credible threat related to these calls. We remain in contact with our local law enforcement.

Authorities across West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky have reported receiving similar calls Wednesday morning.

“Each threat is taken seriously and thoroughly investigated,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Jeff Sandy. “We are one hundred percent committed to continuing to ensure the health, safety and well-being of students and communities. We diligently work across departments and agencies to respond, monitor, and investigate these alleged threats.”

As of 11 a.m., the following counties in West Virginia have received false threats of an active shooter:

• Barbour
• Cabell
• Harrison
• Ohio
• Kanawha
• Marion
• Mercer
• Monongalia
• Raleigh
• Taylor
• Wirt
• Wood

Local authorities are working with state and federal law enforcement to determine who is responsible for the phone calls.

5 News is working to get more information from school administrators and law enforcement.

This is a developing story, stick with 5 News for updates.

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