Swatting hoax — School lockout ends with no reported injuries

A swatting hoax prompted a two-hour lockout at Newcastle schools April 30, drawing a law enforcement response before authorities determined there was no credible threat.

Weston County School District No. 1 reported in a Facebook post that its three schools, along with others in Wyoming, received “concerning calls likely tied to a possible ‘swatting incident,’” prompting Newcastle Middle School, Newcastle High School and Newcastle Elementary School buildings to enter a lockout while law enforcement investigated.

NHS Principal Bryce Hoffman said the lockout lasted from 12:57 p.m. to 2:37 p.m. at the middle school and high school. The elementary school may have entered the lockout shortly afterward, according to Hoffman.

Hoffman said students were escorted between outbuildings during passing periods, and the district used its alert system to notify parents.

NES Principal Brandy Holmes said the lockout allowed classes to continue inside while restricting access to the building.

“We were instructed to go into a lockout, which means we continue business as usual inside, but we do not go out until released,” Holmes said.

Students remained indoors for recess, but otherwise followed a typical schedule, she said. Students were familiar with the procedure because of routine drills, which helped ease stress, according to Holmes.

“Students and staff handled this responsibly and professionally,” Hoffman said.

Sheriff Bryan Colvard told the News Letter Journal at 1:25 p.m. that authorities were treating the situation as a possible threat.

“It appears to be a hoax; however, we're working it in case it's not," he said.

Three Newcastle officers and one Weston County deputy responded to the scene, while “numerous” others worked to track the origin of the call, Colvard said. It took about two hours to determine the report was a hoax.

Colvard said the investigation is ongoing and he therefore declined to provide details about the evidence used to reach that conclusion, the nature of the threat or whether the call is connected to a broader pattern.

“We appreciate law enforcement’s diligence in helping to keep students and staff safe,” Holmes said.

NMS Principal Tyler Bartlett said the three buildings worked in tandem, following law enforcement’s lead.

“Everyone seemed to handle it OK today,” he said. “Unfortunately this is not the first time we’ve dealt with a situation like this in our community.”

The district later announced in another Facebook post that law enforcement had confirmed the call was a hoax and that schools could resume normal operations, including scheduled activities such as middle school soccer and a kindergarten through second grade music concert.

“Out of an abundance of caution, there will continue to be increased law enforcement presence in the community and at school activities,” the district said.

Superintendent Brad LaCroix said no one was injured.

"Great job by all,” he said. “From outside, it appeared very sound."

Bartlett said he is grateful “nobody was ever in real danger.”

LaCroix said he did not know how many other school districts were affected.