UPDATE: Police determine ‘no credible threat,’ after call about a gun at MHS

Marblehead High School students were placed in a “hold pass” for about two hours on Monday afternoon, after an active threat about a student with a gun was called into the police station.

“At approximately 1 p.m., MHS was notified by the Marblehead Police Department that they had received a call. The caller stated that they ‘had a gun’ inside Marblehead High School,” interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness and Police Chief Dennis King wrote in an email to families at 4:15 p.m

“A significant presence of the Marblehead Police Department responded to the school within minutes and began making the scene safe and investigating,” the joint email continued. “Again, this was not an active shooter incident, it was a threat that was called into the police station. We immediately enacted our safety protocols to ensure that the safety of our students and staff was secured, and the high school was placed in a hold passing. A search was conducted of every classroom and backpacks by the MPD and school administrators, out of an abundance of caution. There were no weapons found.”

Police also brought in a K-9 unit. Officers blocked off the area around the school on Humphrey Street and asked people to stay away.

Parents stand outside MHS, while their students were in a “hold passing” inside after police received a threat of someone with a gun.
*CURRENT* PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Inside, students were texting their parents updates and photos.

Current intern and MHS senior Max Arbo was meeting with his English teacher Jenn Billings on the third floor when an announcement came over the loud speaker.

“It said, ‘We’re having a hold in place. Please stay where you are,'” Arbo said. He could see police leading dogs around the perimeter of the school. Vice Principal Frank Kowalski came into the classroom.

“He said they were doing a quick sweep,” looking for possible weapons, Arbo said.

Outside, anxious parents gathered at the bottom of the school’s driveway, while TV helicopters circled overhead.

Just before 3 p.m., interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness sent an email saying that police had “determined that there was no identifiable and credible threat” and students were dismissed.

Arbo said he and the students he was with were calm throughout the incident.

“Now I’ve experienced all of American public education,” he added.