A Connecticut woman was arrested for reporting a phony school shooting threat, forcing a huge law enforcement response and a brief lockdown earlier this week, police said.
Monica Smith, of Lebanon, has been charged with falsely reporting an incident concerning serious physical injury or death, misuse of the emergency 911 system and second-degree breach of peace, according to a press release from the East Hampton Police Department.
She was taken into custody on Wednesday, but was released a short time later after posting her $50,000 bond.
Authorities received a report on Tuesday of a potential shooting at East Hampton Middle School on Childs Road. When they arrived on the scene just before 12:50 p.m., they were approached by 57-year-old Smith, who told them one of her family members snuck into the building with a firearm.
She claimed the female relative wanted to “perpetrate an active shooter situation,” East Hampton Police Chief Dennis Woessner told reporters.
Both the middle school and nearby East Hampton High School were immediately placed on lockdown while authorities scoured both buildings for any signs of danger. Officers from surrounding towns, state police and U.S. Marshals also assisted in the response.
“Our primary goal was immediately to find the active shooter,” Woessner said. “Once the primary areas of the school had been searched, we then went door-to-door, opening up the locked doors with our master keys and ensuring everyone in the classroom was accounted for and all the teachers were safe and no additional person was in the classroom.”
Officers ultimately determined there was no threat to either school, nor the community, and the lockdown was lifted.
After interviewing several witnesses and further investigating the matter, authorities uncovered enough evidence to arrest Smith for making the fake tip.
While a motive has not yet been uncovered, police suspect Smith’s struggles with mental health could be a factor.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
