Three schools in Newark were placed on lockdown after a threat targeting a local middle school.
The Sept. 12 threats targeted Wilson Middle School, Newark police said. Wilson, Newark Catholic High School and McGuffey Elementary School were all put on lockdown as a result.
Police said the situation is believed to be a “swatting call” and “there is no indication of an actual threat.”
More: What is swatting? What to know about hoax threats after latest string of attempts
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Newark police said there has been a national increase in swatting calls, and efforts are being made to identify those responsible.
Swatting occurs when someone falsely reports, either through online means or phone calls, a violent crime happening or makes threats of violence that prompt a large police response.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@gannett.com or on Bluesky at @bethanybruner.dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Three Newark schools on lockdown after ‘swatting call,’ police say