9-year-old behind fake 911 call that placed Greater Latrobe School District on lockdown

LATROBE, Pa. — A 9-year-old is behind the threatening 911 call that placed Greater Latrobe School District on lockdown Wednesday, police said.

Investigators wouldn’t say if the juvenile is a student within the school district. State police said the 9-year-old intentionally placed the call and claimed that several shots had been fired inside the school.

The school district sent home a letter to parents that said, “Investigation identified a known juvenile as placing the false 911 call.”

The call, which was a prank, prompted an entire Westmoreland County school district to be placed on lockdown.

The Greater Latrobe School District reported receiving the call just before 1 p.m. reporting a threat at Latrobe Elementary School, which prompted the district to go into lockdown.

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City of Latrobe police, Pennsylvania State Police and other surrounding departments responded and cleared the building, and going from car to car in the parking lots.

The streets surrounding the school were shut down for several hours, and worried parents gathered waiting to get their kids.

Ashley Wellek, whose son is in kindergarten said she felt her son was safe — and trusted the districts response — but she’s not happy with whoever made that phone call.

“It would make me mad because it’s nothing to joke around with especially when it comes to kids. I don’t know why anyone would do it to be honest, I wouldn’t do it... it’s a scary thing,” she said.

RAW: Large police presence at Latrobe Elementary School RAW: Large police presence at Latrobe Elementary School