There was an increased police presence planned at Valley High School when students returned Thursday after the New Kensington school was closed following a shooting in the city involving high school-age juveniles.

In a letter to families, New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said he decided to close the high school Wednesday after “a group of juveniles that included high school aged students were involved in discharging a firearm” after school Tuesday.

According to New Kensington police, officers happened to be nearby when they heard shots fired in the area of Proctor Alley on Tuesday afternoon.

Officers pursued but were unable to apprehend the suspect. No victim was found, and police did not find anyone who went to a hospital who had been shot.

Police reported recovering shells from five bullets.

New Kensington police Chief Bob Deringer did not report any updates on the investigation of the incident Wednesday.

In his letter, Sefcheck said he closed the high school so administrators could come up with a plan to stop the incident from carrying over into the school.

“From the very beginning, there was never a threat to our students or staff in any of the buildings,” he wrote.

Beginning Thursday, the district will have increased presence from New Kensington and Arnold police patrolling the school, and more steps will be taken to increase supervision and presence in hallways, Sefcheck’s letter states.

New Kensington-Arnold’s homecoming is this week. Festivities include the Willie Thrower Homecoming Parade beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday followed by a festival and senior recognition night at the high school; a football game with Burrell on Friday; and the homecoming dance at the Quality Inn on Saturday.

The district has “amped up law enforcement participation in all homecoming activities, including the parade,” Sefcheck wrote in his letter.

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