Sandy Hook threatened with bomb on anniversary
Police trying to find out who’s responsible for call they say wasn’t credible
NEWTOWN, CONN.— A bomb threat forced the evacuation of the Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday, a day of memorial services and moments of silence to mark the sixth anniversary of the massacre of 20 first-graders and six educators.
Teachers and students at the school were sent home for the day after the threat was called in at about 9 a.m., and police did a sweep of the building. But they said they did not believe the threat was credible. Authorities said it specifically referenced the anniversary.
“Obviously, there’s a height- ened level of anxiety,” police Lt. Aaron Bahamonde said. “It’s not unexpected that these anniversary dates bring out the evil in some people.”
Bahamonde said police were trying to determine who made the threat. It wasn’t immediately clear if it was related to bomb threats made nationwide Thursday.
A 20-year-old gunman shot his way into the school on the morning of Dec. 14, 2012, and killed 26 before fatally shooting himself.
The school building where the shooting happened was razed and a new one was built at the same site. Church bells in Newtown chimed in the morning, and all town offices were closed from 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
To honour the shooting victims, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy ordered all state and U.S. flags in Connecticut to remain at halfstaff, where they have been in honour of the late president George H.W. Bush.
“The unthinkable tragedy that occurred on this day will forev- er have an impact — not only here in Connecticut, but throughout the entire nation,” Malloy said in a statement.
“I think about these innocent, young children and generous, kind-hearted educators every single day. I will always keep them in my prayers.”