NEWPORT — A series of hoax calls targeted K-12 schools across Vermont on Wednesday with false reports of shootings, including four schools in Orleans County.
State police say 21 schools were targeted by the calls, which were received from 8:40 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. at the main line of a dispatch center, police department or town office.
All of the threats were determined to be unfounded.
Schools targeted by the calls include:
- United Christian Academy – Newport, VT
- Newport City Elementary School – Newport, VT
- North Country Union High School – Newport, VT
- North Country Union Junior High School – Derby, VT
- Alburgh Community Education Center – Alburgh, VT
- Brattleboro High School – Brattleboro, VT
- Christ the King School – Rutland, VT
- Colchester High School – Colchester, VT
- East Burke School – East Burke, VT
- Enosburgh High School – Enosburgh, VT
- Essex High School – Essex, VT
- Fair Haven High School – Fair Haven, VT
- Grace Christian School – Bennington, VT
- Middlebury Union High School – Middlebury, VT
- Milton High School – Milton, VT
- Missisquoi Valley Union High School – Swanton, VT
- Montpelier High School – Montpelier, VT
- Otter Valley Union High School – Brandon, VT
- Randolph Union High School – Randolph, VT
- Rice Memorial High School – South Burlington, VT
- St. Albans City Elementary School – St Albans, VT
The Vermont State Police say they are working with local and federal law-enforcement partners to investigate the calls, which share similarities with other incidents that have occurred nationwide in recent weeks and months.
Initial investigation in Vermont has determined all the calls were placed via a VOIP service, and none originated from a spoofed 802 area code as some initial reporting had indicated.
The calls also appear to have been made by a person and are not believed at this time to have been automated.
