Schools across Vermont receive apparent hoax threat calls

Vermont (Feb. 8, 2023) – Law enforcement agencies across the state are responding to calls about alleged shootings at various schools.

Currently, none of these threats are deemed credible and are believed to be hoaxes.

The calls are suspected to have come from VOIP phone numbers or potentially spoofed 802 numbers and are part of a trend of nationwide hoax phone threats of school shootings, bomb threats, and other violent incidents that have been proven false.

The Governor’s Office, Agency of Education, Department of Public Safety, Vermont State Police, Vermont Intelligence Center, and local law enforcement agencies are actively working to address these calls.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., local authorities rushed to Montpelier High School in response to a report of shots being fired.

The school and some neighboring businesses, including VSECU on Bailey Avenue, went into lockdown mode.

It appears that the situation was a false alarm, likely part of a larger hoax affecting multiple high schools in Vermont.

The MHS community was informed that although the building was being searched for potential dangers, it seems to be a coordinated hoax.

Authorities in South Burlington were dealing with a similar threat, and Otter Valley High School in Brandon had also received a similar call.

A press conference is scheduled to take place later today at the Governor’s Ceremonial Office in Montpelier, where further information will be provided.

The details of the conference will be released as soon as they are available.

This is a developing story that will be updated when more information is available.