Tyngsborough Elementary School was in lockdown for more than two hours on March 20 after a "non-specific" threat was called into the school. Upon arrival, Tyngsborough Police quickly determined that the threat was a hoax. Courtesy photo/Merrimack Media Services

TYNGSBOROUGH, Mass. – Students and staff at Tyngsborough Elementary School spent the morning of March 20 in lockdown after a “non-specific threat” was called into the school’s main office.

However, upon arrival, Tyngsborough Police quickly determined that the threat was a hoax known as swatting.

“In recent months, hoax swatting calls have become a rising concern for school districts and emergency services across the country,” said Deputy Police Chief Shaun Woods. “They undermine the sense of security within schools and instill undue fear in communities. Tyngsborough experienced such a resource-intensive and unsettling incident.”

Although there was no credible threat, Woods said he was impressed with how the police and school administrators worked together.

“I want to express my gratitude to all those involved for their patience, understanding and meticulous attention to detail,” said Woods, adding that the partnership includes the work of School Resource Officer Christopher Gustafson and ongoing ALICE training.

In accordance with ALICE procedures, the school was in lockdown from 9:10 to 11:30 a.m.

During that time, Tyngsborough Police and the State Police K9 Unit conducted a thorough search of the school property and found nothing indicating any sort of danger. Tyngsborough Police remained at the school for the remainder of the day as an additional precaution.

Currently, under Massachusetts law, an individual convicted of swatting would face up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $500.

During the past nine years, federal lawmakers have pushed for tougher swatting penalties that would put offenders behind bars for up to 20 years. However, their efforts have not been successful. The Interstate Swatting Hoax Act of 2015, the Anti-Swatting Act of 2019 and the Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2021 were never signed into law.