Man with intent to "Shoot up a school" Taken Into Custody

Hazleton City Police and Pennsylvania State Police were investigating a man who reportedly made a comment that he would "Shoot up a school".

The statement was reportedly made at Northeast Counseling.

The individual, identified as Joel Wallace, 30, of West Hazleton.

Wallace had posted on his Facebook arond 8am Monday that he was "at tha drs AGAIN!! Trying to get something for my anxiety n bipolorniss!", adding the hashtag of #zannex.

Just before 1am Monday morning, Wallace had shared his anticipation of getting a .380 pistol.

Adding the hashtags #pistalwip and #bangbang.

Sources state that Wallace's picture and information were sent to the Hazleton school district just after 1pm.

Hazleton Police were seen at the Administrative Building around this time, and were known to be in contact with Northeast Counseling around the same time.

Hazleton State Police are reported to have had vehicles conducting an apparent search around the high school.

Security at many area schools were hightened, with many parents reporting seeing police when picking up their children.

It is reported that Wallace was taken into custody around 2:30pm Monday afternoon at his home.

It is unknown if Wallace was in posession of any weapons at the time.

The Career Center had two lock down's throughout the day, however these were confirmed to be due to EMS response to the building for unrelated reasons.

Hazleton News 1 had released this information just before 4pm, directly after being made aware of the situation.

Earlier this year, Hazleton News 1 also broke the story of a bomb threat made against the Hazleton high school, prompting police to search the building before classes, and causing a delayed entrance fo students.