Three schools in Arlington were evacuated Tuesday morning after bomb threats were called in, according to the Arlington Fire Department.
The threats were reported at:
Around 10:07 a.m., all three schools received bomb threats, prompting an immediate response from Arlington first responders.
As a precaution, all three campuses were evacuated while the Arlington Fire Department and Arlington Police Department searched the facilities.
After searching all three schools, authorities cleared each campus and said no suspicious devices were found.
Arlington ISD said Ditto Elementary students were temporarily relocated to Martin High School while crews searched the elementary school.
Some parents of Ditto students picked up their children at Martin HS. After it was safe to return to the Ditto campus, the district said parents would be able to pick up their children at the Ditto campus.
The district released a statement Tuesday afternoon in part saying:
“This morning, anonymous threats were made toward two schools in Arlington ISD, Swift and Ditto elementary schools, and one other school not in our district. Staff called 911 and the campuses were evacuated.Arlington Police and Fire Departments responded immediately and quickly searched and cleared the Swift building. Swift then resumed the school day. The threatening phone call was determined to be a hoax, possibly related to others in the DFW area.At Ditto, the evacuation lasted longer as the school awaited AFD to give the all clear. After 75 minutes of being outside without water, restrooms, and lunch, the decision was made to transport students and staff to Martin High School. There, students and staff had access to restrooms and were given pizza and water.Arlington ISD immediately activated emergency response and reunification protocols, so Ditto parents could pick up their children at Martin.Once AFD deemed it safe to return to Ditto, plans were made to transport students and staff back to the campus. Students who were not picked up at Martin prior to 2 p.m. were safely bused back to Ditto.”
The Arlington Fire Department held a short press conference Friday afternoon to provide updates on the evacuations.
“There is currently no information indicating these threats were credible,” said Arlington Fire Chief Bret Stidham.
Investigators are still working to determine who made the bomb threats and where they originated.
“Every threat is taken seriously,” Stidham said.
