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Rumored threat of shooting at pep rally closes Pittsburgh-area school

JEFFERSON HILLS, Pa. — The West Jefferson Hills School District canceled classes Friday after receiving an anonymous tip regarding a possible threat late Thursday night.

West Jefferson Hills School District officials said Friday they were looking into a threat at Thomas Jefferson High School.

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They sent word of the closure via Twitter and Superintendent Michael Panza posted a letter on the district's website.

"It's scary. It's like we're not being told the whole story. I heard a bomb threat and then I heard of a possible shooting and we're not being told everything,” said parent Jennifer Janusek.

According to Panza, the district received an anonymous tip regarding a possible threat around 11:15 p.m.

Panza said the tip included a rumor of a possible shooting during a pep rally scheduled at the high school.

“This was similar to a rumor from yesterday,” Panza said in the letter.

As of 4:30 a.m. Friday, authorities were still working to determine if the threat was credible. It was at that time that school was canceled.

"We will continue to work in cooperation with the authorities to maintain the safety of all children," Panza said.

This comes after an alleged bomb threat at the high school earlier this week.

“We shouldn’t be going to school in fear,” a student said.

Classes are scheduled to resume Tuesday.

“I do feel unsafe at school. There’s not enough being done to protect the students,” one student said.

One student said he thinks more needs to be done to protect students. He said he’s frustrated with how the distract has handled both threats.

“I understand just being safe, but you can’t tell people they’re safe and react like we’re not. That’s not right,” he said.

Jefferson Hills is about 11 miles south of downtown Pittsburgh.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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