District received security threat on social media; police don’t believe threat was credible and school will be back in session Wednesday
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include a brief joint press release from the City of Ocean City and the Ocean City School District.
OCEAN CITY – A security threat on social media Tuesday morning prompted Ocean City High School to dismiss all of the students Tuesday afternoon.
The alert read: There has been a threat on social media to the safety of students and staff at OCHS. We have initiated our evacuation procedures. Ocean City Police have been called to the high school. All of the students are safe, but we are taking the threat serious. The district will continue to work with the Ocean City Police and communicate with parents once we know more information.”
A followup security update was issued letter parents know dismissal was taking place through busing, student-owned transportation and parent pick-up.
“Dismissal will be in an orderly fashion. We have information regarding a threat and all precautionary measures are being taken. We will notify you when students can come back to pick up their personal belongings.”
A third update noted that by 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the entire student population was dismissed except for the Life Skills bus, which would be leaving within 10 minutes.”
According to a joint press release from the City of Ocean City and the Ocean City School District, on Tuesday morning, Dec. 14. “Ocean City School District officials were made aware of a screenshot of a text message threatening a shooting.
“Ocean City High School was evacuated immediately and students dismissed for the day. Everyone is safe.
“An investigation is ongoing, but at this point, police do not believe the threat was credible. Police searched the building, and the school will be back to a regular schedule tomorrow.”