Westhampton Beach Police, Troopers Stationed Outside High School After Shooting Threat

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY- Police and New York State troopers are assigned to both Westhampton Beach High School and the middle school Friday during the school day, after the threat of a shooting left students and parents frightened.

According to Westhampton Beach Police, police responded to the high school, located on Lilac Road, Thursday at 3:45 p.m. for a report of a threat against the school.

The threat, police said, involved an “unverified conversation between two students” that took place on Wednesday regarding a ”possible shooting at the school that was supposed to have taken place on Thursday,” police said.

The Westhampton Beach School District was not made aware of the alleged threat until Thursday afternoon and immediately notified the Westhampton Beach Police Department, police said.

The Westhampton Beach Police Department is “actively investigating” the incident and will work with the school district to ensure safety of all students and staff, police said.

Westhampton Beach Superintendent Mike Radday reached out to parents Thursday night in a robocall: “I am calling this evening to inform the community that late this afternoon we became aware of rumors amongst students that a shooting would take place at Westhampton Beach High School tomorrow. These rumors are unsubstantiated. Please rest assured that we are working closely with the police department and taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”

The call sparked concern among parents, many of who took to social media to discuss the robocall.

Some parents felt the school should be closed Friday. “It’s so unreal to me that this was handled in this manner. School should ask for mandatory shutdown,” parent Lisa Fox said.

Others said their children had heard the robocall and were frightened.

A number of parents said they planned to keep their kids home Friday.

“It’s one day and any test can be made up,” one mom said. “It’s not worth the gamble to me.”

Another mom added, “Be safe, not sorry. It’s absolutely not work the risk.”

Tensions are heightened because of a shooting earlier this week in Southampton, where a gunman fired shots out of a vehicle striking three and leaving one in critical condition.

Check back to Patch for updates on this developing story.

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