Four local schools were the targets of threats Tuesday, launching investigations and changing class schedules.
Students in all 13 Propel schools are learning remotely Tuesday due to multiple threats on social media.
The threats were posted to Snapchat but later copied on other social media sites.
At first, Hazelwood and Montour locations were going to be the only ones to go remote, but administrators told families the move was made out of an abundance of caution.
Once a suspect if identified, Propel plans on filing charges. Anyone with information can call 9-1-1 or Propel at 412-325-7305.
High School students at Sto-Rox were dismissed early and will learn virtually for the rest of Tuesday and Wednesday after a threat suggesting violence. The district also says there will not be any after school activities today and tomorrow.
A McKeesport Area middle school will have increased police presence throughout the day because of a social media threat. The district says the threat involved Founders Hall Middle School. Police are investigating.
Another threat was made against North Hills High School as well on Tuesday through Snapchat. That threat was checked out and was deemed not credible by Ross Police.
Classes are continuing as normal at the high school.
Local and state law enforcement are typically the first to respond to school threats, but can contact the FBI for additional resources.
FBI Pittsburgh Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joe Rothrock says they've noticed an increase in calls.
"The FBI's role is to assist and provide additional resources to our state and local partners when these types of threats come in," he said. "Certainly we've seen what we would say here is an increase in the number of contacts we've received from local law enforcement for request for assistance in that regard."
Because the FBI isn't called for every school threat, Rothrock didn't have specific data on the amount of calls they've received.
Rothrock says the vast majority of the threats they see are online.
"Potentially, one of the motivating factors there could be some sort of notoriety while at the same time, maintaining your anonymity."
Because law enforcement takes every threat seriously, Rothrock says response uses significant resources.
Making a threat toward a school is a federal crime, and could lead to up to five years in federal prison.
