Westport Police Working to Identify Caller in Staples “Swatting” Incident
Press ReleaseOn October 21, 2022, at approximately 9:10 a.m., Westport’s Emergency Communications Center received a call from a person who was reporting that there was an active shooter inside Staples High School. The patrol and detective divisions as well as officers in administrative rolls immediately went to the school. As officers were responding, contact was established with the School Resource Officer who stated that there was no indication of a problem at the location. This led the department to believe that this may be what is referred to as a “swatting” call. Despite the possibility of this being a hoax, the high school was placed on lock down and the police department proceeded as if there was an active threat.
Once on scene, teams of officers checked the entire school to confirm there was no shooter. This exhaustive search included checking each room within the high school as well as all common areas. Nothing of concern was discovered which confirmed our belief that the call reporting the active shooter was in fact a hoax. It is our understanding that other schools throughout the state received the same call.
Out of an abundance of caution, officers will be stationed at all of Westport’s schools for the remainder of the day.
The outstanding communication between the police and school officials allowed this incident to run smoothly. Additionally, the members of the police department were incredibly impressed with the composure exhibited by students and faculty alike in the face of a very freighting situation.
The police department’s detective bureau has assumed control of this investigation and are looking to identify the caller.
We would like to thank the Norwalk, Fairfield, Wilton, and Weston police departments for the assistance they provided during the incident.
Westport Property Transfers: October 3rd - 7th; Highest Sale at $15.1 Million on Cross Highway
Westport Town Clerk’s Office:
Total Conveyance Tax: $110,683.11
Total Sales: $44,273,245.89
Highest Transfer Price: 167 Cross Highway: $15,175,000
Lowest Transfer Price: 14 Reimer Road: $690,000
Transfers:
167 Cross Highway: $15,175,000
19 Old Hill Farms Road: $5,100,000
20 Silver Brook Road: $4,148,585.98
15 Duck Pond Road: $3,500,000
4 Trailing Rock Lane: $3,469,659.91
5 Hermit Lane: $3,300,000
8 Sycamore Drive: $2,775,000
21 Grove Point Road: $2,520,000
18 Cross Highway: $1,075,000
10 Greenwood Lane: $1,025,000
153 Compo Road North: $775,000
31 Hiawatha Lane Extension: $720,000
14 Reimer Road: $690,000
Superintendent Gives Update after Staples Lockdown
Dear Westport Families and Staff,
This morning the Westport Police received a phone call indicating a potential threat at Staples High School. Although we have since learned that multiple schools across the state received the same threat, at the time, the response protocol warranted a thorough onsite evaluation of Staples, including an armed room by room threat assessment.
To be clear, police weapons were in sight of students and staff and as a result, we are changing our focus for the remainder of the school day. Schools will follow the normal schedule and students will be provided emotional support as needed. However, teachers have been asked to focus on the social/emotional needs of their students for the remainder of the day. Students will remain in school as it is appropriate to remain together as a school community at this time.
While this evaluation was conducted, all of the other schools in Westport were supported with an onsite police presence and put into place appropriate safety protocols.
Upon completion of the extensive analysis by the Westport Police Department, the building was deemed safe and the threat was determined to lack credibility.
We are grateful for the swift response of our police department and the communication between the schools and WPD in handling this matter.
Sincerely,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent
Superintendent: Lockdown Lifted; Campus Safe, Secure
“We have just been informed that the lockdown has been lifted, and the campus has been cleared and safe. Additional information will be forthcoming for the community.”
Superintendent Thomas Scarice