Updates On Apparent Threat Made To School

Hazleton News 1 released a story Monday afternoon about an individual who had made threats towards a school while at a counseling service in the area. The individual had left the counseling service, which caused a heavy police presence in the area of the Hazleton High School campus, including multiple State Police Troopers present at the buildings as well as roaming the area in vehicles and in the State Police helicopter.

Full article can be found here.

Another media source in the area had stated that this incident was fabricated. Citing Superintendent Dr. Craig Butler as saying that he and HASD police Chief Frank Hacken "know nothing about it". This article can be read here.

Hazleton News 1 had left a message with Dr. Butler Monday evening, and had the pleasure of speaking with him around 5pm Tuesday evening.

Butler had acknowledged the presence of State Police roaming the area around the High School. He had also stated that State Police were present at the buildings on the campus.

Butler had stated that the district was aware of a threat made at Northeast Counseling Monday morning. Butler continued to stated that no threat was made directly toward the school, nor was a threat made in the area of the school.

Butler stated that police presence was solely preventative due to an individual being at large. Butler stated that it was not known what area the individual was in.

Dr. Butler agreed when it was brought up that the only buildings with police presence in the school district were those on the campus on 23rd Street.

Butler stated that the school district was aware that State Police would be on the campus., and that State Police were present until the individual was detained by police.

Butler also acknoledged a fax/memo that was sent from State Police to the school district that included the individual's picture and information.

Butler described the incident as overinflated.