Smithtown HS West on 'lockdown' after threat
School security officers check cars going through the main entrance at Smithtown West High School. (March 9, 2012) Credit: James Carbone
A threat to shoot up Smithtown High School West was discovered Thursday scrawled on a bathroom wall, prompting the school into an immediate "lockdown mode," officials said.
Smithtown schools Superintendent Edward Ehmann said Suffolk County police were notified, and the school was searched shortly after the discovery of the graffiti in a girls bathroom.
According to the message, the shooting would happen sometime Friday, Ehmann said.
The school would put sweeping security measures into effect, he said, including searches of students' backpacks as they arrive on campus.
"If we're going to make a mistake, we're going to make a mistake on the side of caution," he said.
Police confirmed that they were called to the school Thursday afternoon but declined to provide any details.
Ehmann said the school would be searched again early this morning, and a police presence would be maintained throughout the day.
Smithtown High School West has an enrollment of about 1,700 students, and about 300 teachers and other employees work there.
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