(Update 10:20 a.m.) The Billings Police Department posted this notice and updates on social media:
Schools are starting to be released from secure status as they are checked. Again we believe this to be a hoax. Other cities around the state are experiencing the same calls. At this time, Law Enforcement believes that the schools are being targeted as a hoax or “Swatting” incident. Law Enforcement has received another additional threat call following similar patterns that are not credible.
A similar threat prompted security measures at schools in Great Falls (click here) and in Kalispell (click here).
- Search at landfill for missing Conrad woman
- 1 dead, 1 injured in Chouteau County crash
- $250K winning ticket announced
- Body found in Fergus County field
Billings school officials and law enforcement were investigating a possible threat that forced authorities to place Billings West High School into lockdown.
School officials said in a social media post the lockdown and measures taken at other area Billings schools were "due to a call relating an alleged threat outside of West High School reported by a school resource officer."
The lockdown went into effect at about 9:35 a.m.
Meadowlark Elementary, Burlington Elementary, Will James Middle School, Central Heights Elementary and Miles Avenue Elementary were also placed in a secure status "out of an abundance of caution."
"Billings Police are at West High School continuing to monitor and investigate. We remain in close contact with our law enforcement partners and will update you as they complete their investigation," school officials said in the post.
A notice from the school district shortly after 10 a.m. states law enforcement believes the incident may be a swatting call "as this call came from a VPN address originating overseas."
The district states it received a similar call for Skyview High School at about 9:56 a.m.
"Out of an abundance of caution, all schools in the district are going into a secure to allow police to continue investigating and monitoring the situation."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
