High Alert as McDevitt Shooting Threats Investigated
Federal law enforcement is now involved in an investigation into shooting threats made against McDevitt Middle School over the weekend.
Waltham officials are beefing up security and recommending vigilance as they seek the culprit, but is the situation causing panic?
On September 15, Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell and WPS Superintendent Marisa Mendonsa informed parents at the middle school about “multiple threats made via Snapchat regarding a potential shooting at McDevitt.”
The letter said it was “unclear whether this is connected to the security concern Principal Lipman messaged the school community about on Friday, September 13.”
With the investigation still active, school and police officials are taking the matter “very seriously” and trying to keep parents informed.
On Sunday, authorities said members of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) K9 Unit swept the interior and exterior of McDevitt and found no weapons.
Authorities also ramped up security, banning backpacks at McDevitt, mandating searches and placing more officers at the school Monday. They recommend any suspicious activity be reported to police immediately.
The situation spurred a flurry of chatter online. Waltham Police noted Monday that “worry and concern is spreading about this threat, especially via social media between students.”
Although no additional threats have surfaced, WPD noted that “rumors have begun to circulate regarding shootings at other locations as well.”
As a result, there will be increased police presence at all Waltham schools throughout the week and counselors available to answer questions. But questions linger.
Are some parents keeping kids from schools? And is it creating an excuse for some students to skip?
Superintendent Marisa Mendonsa could not be reached for comment Monday.
The current incident was not McDevitt’s first Snapchat shooting threat.
Back in June 2022, a male student posted an image of four semi-automatic handguns on a carpeted floor with text superimposed about planning to shoot up the school.
But Waltham Police said the juvenile had no access to firearms and that the images were found online. There was “not a credible threat to the school,” according to the principal at the time.
