The Lancaster County Career and Technology Center (LCCTC) in Willow Street, Pennsylvania, will remain closed today following a threat received via social media. The school was placed on lockdown and students were evacuated on Thursday (September 19). The details of the threat remain undisclosed.
The school administration decided to close all campuses as a precautionary measure. In a statement, Dr. Stuart Savin, Administrative Director of LCCTC, said, "Due to a social media posting and out of an abundance of caution we have closed schools across our campuses today." He added that authorities were investigating the threat at the Willow Street campus, but no threat had been substantiated at the time of the statement.
Students from the Willow Street campus were transported to a reunification center at Willow Street Mennonite Church. Students from the Brownstown campus were returned to their respective districts. The Mount Joy campus and classes at the Public Safety center were already on virtual learning that day.
Students who spoke with FOX43 described a tense scene inside the school. Madison Fisher, a student at the school, said she initially thought the lockdown was a drill. When she realized it was not, she said, "It was really scary thinking that it could’ve been real.”
The building has since been cleared and the threat was deemed uncredible by the West Lampeter Township Police. The incident was prompted by a "vague threat" that had been circulating on social media sites for the past several weeks. The initial call was generated outside the school by a relative of a student, who expressed concern for the well-being of the students at the school. At this time, police do not believe there was any malicious intent by the caller.