LPS: No threat found at Lincoln Northeast after reported hostage situation

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Police are investigating a swatting call at Lincoln Northeast High School on Wednesday.

In a letter sent to parents, Principal Liz Miller said the school’s office received a call that “vaguely” stated there was a possible weapon and hostage situation in a classroom.

The school’s SRO started investigating and immediately called the Lincoln Police Department to assist with the call.

“We were able to determine quickly that the information provided by the caller was not accurate, but out of an abundance of caution we did an extra sweep of the building checking each classroom,” Miller said.

Police later informed the school that there was no active threat at the school.  An investigation into the call is ongoing.

“In light of national events, we understand that this information can be upsetting,” Miller said. “We are here to support students. We can connect students to caring adults to support them if they need help processing this information.”

In the letter, Miller provided some “important reminders” that Lincoln Public Schools Security and LPD want to share with students and families:

• First, please continue to report any and all threats of violence to school officials or law enforcement immediately. We take each report seriously and will investigate them fully.

• Have a conversation with your child about how words matter. We take all conversations about violence towards others seriously and investigate them fully. There is nothing funny about joking about violence against others. Students who violate the student code of conduct and cause a disruption will face the appropriate school and legal consequences.

• Lincoln Public Schools is taking this opportunity to remind families of the importance of keeping all weapons and ammunition safely away from children and adolescents to prevent intentional and unintentional harm. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that the most reliable and effective measure to prevent injuries in children and adolescents is the absence of weapons. Safe weapon storage reduces a child’s risk of injury.

• Linked are brochures to help you speak with your teen about traumatic events. If your child needs extra support, please contact your school so we can connect them with a staff member, including counselors, social workers, psychologists, bilingual liaisons, and student advocates (Youth Development Team).

If a student or parent has any safety concerns, they’re asked to tell a trusted staff member or use the green Safe to Say button on the district’s website.