Threat leads to school closure

Hamden High warned of ‘potential gun violence’ online

Hamden High School was closed Friday while law enforcement investigated a threat of potential gun violence made against the school, officials said Thursday night.

Superintendent of Schools Jody Goeler said in a Tweet that the school was closing “out of an abundance of caution” to “allow police and administration to work together to investigate a threat made to the school.”

School officials learned of a threat “regarding potential gun violence” at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday night, Hamden police said.

Police then launched an investigation into the threat, which they said was made online. Officials did not specify the online channel through which the threat was made.

The decision to close the school Friday was made by Hamden school officials, police and the office of Mayor Lauren Garrett, police said.

“I want to thank the Hamden Police Department and Hamden school officials for their swift response to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” Garrett said in a statement Friday. “I am committed to the safety of our schools and I take every threat seriously.”

“I applaud the students who were proactive about their safety and reached out to the police, administration, and parents about this threat,” Garrett added.

Hamden police noted in a release that the department has increased its presence at the high school in recent weeks, and will continue to do so.

Two students were recently charged with assault following a violent altercation at a bus stop adjacent to campus on Monday. One of the students was hospitalized with multiple stab wounds; police said he was in stable condition on Tuesday.

In October, a Hamden High student was arrested on weapons charges for allegedly bringing a loaded handgun into school in his backpack.

The Special Victims Unit of the Hamden Police Department currently has an officer assigned to the high school as a school resource officer, in addition to a crisis services liaison officer, which started in 2018.

Anyone with more information is encouraged to contact Hamden police at 203-2304000. Tips can remain confidential.