Hamburg, N.Y. (WBEN) - A pair of incidents took place with bomb threats being found at Hamburg High School, according Hamburg Superintendent of Schools, Michael Cornell.
"Last night and today, our custodians found, what appeared to be, bomb threats written in the school," Cornell shared on Thursday with WBEN. "The custodians acted quickly, followed their chain of command and let us know right away. The Hamburg Village Police Department, who's a great partner, we let them know right away. We had bomb-sniffing dogs coming into the school last night and today. The Erie County Sheriff's Office, Niagara Frontier Transit Authority last night, New York State Police last night - the Sheriff's, the State Police and Buffalo Police Department today searched the building, found no explosives on either occasion."
According to an official statement from the Hamburg Central School District on Wednesday night, the first bomb threat was found earlier that evening in a bathroom at Hamburg High School. Upon finding the bomb threat, the custodian immediately notified his chain of command, and Hamburg Police responded shortly thereafter.
Only a few people were left in the building at that time, at which point they were asked to leave. A total of six K-9 Units assisted the Hamburg Police Department in searching the building and its surrounding areas. It was determined there were no explosives or explosive devices on the property.
Then again on Thursday, another bomb threat was found written in another bathroom at the high school. The school then issued in a Shelter-in-Place, as seven K-9 Units assisted the Hamburg Police Department in their search. Once again, no explosives or explosive devices were found.
While there was no threat to the safety of the school or anyone in it, students at the middle school and high school were dismissed as soon as the search of the building was completed.
"We're in the course of investigating, trying to find out the person responsible, and when we find that person, we will prosecute that person to the fullest extent of the law," Cornell said.
In a written statement, Cornell said:
"On behalf of the Board of Education, and our entire school district, I want to thank the Hamburg Village Police Department for their swift action and their constant partnership. We are also grateful to the Erie County Sheriff's Office, the Buffalo Police Department and the New York State Police for bringing their K-9 Units to Hamburg High School to search the property.
"Once again, we appreciate our custodial staff's attention to detail in finding the threat, and their quick action in reporting it."
Cornell says students making threatening statements like this towards a school is not usual, especially in Hamburg, but it will not be tolerated.
"This type of behavior, this type of acting out, is really out of character," Cornell said. 'In Hamburg, we have very, very little incidences like this, where kids act out in a violent way, or even in a way that would threaten violence. Our kids in Hamburg are wonderful kids, they come from loving and caring families, as in all communities. It's just rare behavior, and we really don't expect it to continue."
Hamburg High School will be open, once again, for both students and staff on Friday.
