Bomb threats reported at Catholic and Christian schools across Kansas Dec. 19 prompted evacuations, police searches, and FBI involvement, though authorities said the calls appeared to be hoaxes and posed no credible threat, according to local media reports.
The threats were reported early Friday morning and consisted of phone calls claiming explosive devices had been placed on the schools’ campuses, according to The Wichita Eagle.
The calls prompted evacuations and precautionary searches at multiple schools in the Kansas City area and elsewhere in the state. Law enforcement agencies swept the buildings and found no explosive devices.
By late morning, authorities said there was no ongoing threat to students or staff, though investigations remained active. Police noted the calls seemed similar to one another and may be connected to a broader pattern of unsubstantiated threats targeting schools, according to The Kansas City Star.
Central Christian School, a K-12 school affected by the threats, stated on social media: “The Police Department has shared with our administrative team that similar automated threats have been made to other schools across the country in recent days, including from the same phone number that contacted us. This information indicates that this was not a specific or targeted threat toward our school.”
Several Catholic schools were affected, leading to evacuations and searches of their properties. Police said the callers claimed explosive devices were on school grounds, but investigations determined the threats were unfounded.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed it is assisting local law enforcement agencies. FBI Kansas City Public Affairs Specialist Dixon Land said the agency is working with police to determine the credibility of the threats, share information, and take appropriate investigative action. Because the matter remains under investigation, the FBI declined to release additional details.
The threats came as many Kansas students were preparing for Christmas break, which begins after Friday for many schools.
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