Police: West Lafayette school cleared following threat; classes canceled for Tuesday

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) — Students at West Lafayette Junior/Senior High School were evacuated Tuesday morning and classes canceled after two threats were made against the school.

The first was a bomb threat that came in as students arrived for class, according to police. It was followed by a report of an armed person inside the school.

“The initial threat was called directly into the school but while WLPD units were responding, a second call was received by the WLPD Dispatch center from a caller who claimed to be inside the school with a firearm,” the West Lafayette Police Department said in a release.

A West Lafayette police officer working as a School Resource officer began to evacuate the school with the aid of school administrators and teachers.

Students living within walking distance of the school or those who drove to school were released to go home. The rest were escorted to Mackey Arena on the Purdue University campus for reunification with family members.

Officers from the West Lafayette, Lafayette, and the Purdue University police departments were inside the school within minutes conducting a room-by-room search for any potential threats.

“Officers…have not found any credible evidence related to the reported threats. There were no reported injuries during the evacuation. While the threats do not appear to be credible at this time, this is still an active investigation,” WLPD said.

Classes at West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School were canceled for the rest of Tuesday. The corporation’s elementary school was also closed for Tuesday, according to the West Lafayette Community School Corporation, and West Lafayette Intermediate School was placed on temporary lockdown.

Anyone with information was encouraged to contact the West Lafayette Police Department at (765) 775-5200 or provide information anonymously through the WeTip Hotline at (800) 78-CRIME.