Threat circulating has Penn Hills parents, students on high alert

PENN HILLS, Pa. — A threat circulating online has parents and students in the Penn Hills School District on high alert. The message targeting the middle school warned that on Wednesday, June 8, someone would “shoot up” the building.

Parents who spoke with Channel 11 News shared they were on edge as school officials work to address the potential violence.

“For kids to be afraid to go to school and parents afraid to send their children, it’s not acceptable,” said Toni Marie Sadvary, parent of a Penn Hills student.

Parents in the district said they are nervous, scared and unsure following the threat.

“I’m exhausted this school year,” admitted Sadvary, who said the school has had one incident after another.

“I took him in at 10:30 a.m., there were police vehicles everywhere, and he said there’s a heavy police presence in the school,” said Sadvary.

Still, she said she was on edge dropping her tenth-grader off this morning, and added that once his finals are done, he won’t finish the school year in person.

“I’m a nervous wreck today, I already informed work if something happens, I’m out. I will have to go get my child,” said Sadvary.

In a statement, the district shared that the threat had been deemed not to be credible by the Penn Hills Police, but will still allow parents to keep their kids home without penalty.

A partial statement from Dr. Nancy Hines, Superintendent of Penn Hills School District, said:

“While the latest threat has been deemed not credible by our law enforcement partners, we are grateful that Chief Como and his team understand the uneasiness that remains. As our update indicates, we expect the extra police support to continue throughout the week.

“I think that not only the students, but the parents should be held accountable.”

Parents said the district’s response is good news, but more needs to be done.

“It’s about us working together to make sure that our schools and our children are safe,” said Penn Hills resident Wynona Harper.

This threat comes just two weeks after one of the deadliest school shootings in our nation killed 21 people in Texas, so we asked parents, what should happen next?

“They need to focus on the mental health and the well-being of ... students,” said Harper, while Sadvary added, “I just hope over the summer that kids get a break to be kids again.”

Penn Hills police say this is an ongoing investigation, however it’s unclear if any charges have been filed.

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