Threat at Dorseyville Middle School ruled noncredible by police, district

An increased police presence last week at Dorseyville Middle School in the Fox Chapel Area School District was in response to investigated social media posts that ultimately showed no credible threat, district officials say.

Bullets also were discovered at the middle school earlier this month, Indiana Township police Chief Steven Colucci said Tuesday.

The chief said any discipline or potential charges would be handled by district police. No injuries were reported.

District spokeswoman Bonnie Berzonski provided TribLive with a letter from Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac sent to the community Thursday evening.

It said that social media posts and videos circulated at the middle school Thursday caused concern. The district and police investigated the posts and videos, and no credible threat was found.

The letter did not detail what the posts and videos said.

The district said it received additional communications from the school community Thursday evening, which also were reviewed carefully by law enforcement. Still, authorities ruled there was no credible threat.

“Unfortunately, there is inaccurate information circulating in the community and on social media which is causing heightened anxiety,” the letter said.

“Safety and security is always of utmost importance, and the district will always communicate factual information. The district takes violations of its conduct policies and its responsibilities under the law seriously. The district will continue to investigate each and every report, collaborate with local law enforcement, and take action, as appropriate.”

The letter said the increased police presence on campus Friday was “out of an abundance of caution.”

Colucci said the video was reported to be of a student showing a firearm. Reports came in through Safe2Say Something, a statewide youth violence prevention program and reporting system.

District parents, students, community members and educators can use the system to give anonymous tips of suspicious activity and other concerns.

Colucci said officers determined the video in question was “an old video” and the weapon shown was an Airsoft or BB gun and not a handgun.

“There were some bullets that were found,” Colucci said of the investigations. “(The district) turned them over to us. They were handling the investigation, and there was some other activity going on with the video of a student.

“From what we looked into on our end, everything was unfounded. … We assured parents everything we were given was fully investigated.”

Colucci said there was an increased police presence during student arrival and dismissal Thursday, Friday and Monday at Dorseyville, as well as Fairview and Hartwood elementary schools and Blessed Trinity Academy as a precautionary measure. Blessed Trinity is a private Catholic school in the township and not part of Fox Chapel Area School Disrict.

Fox Chapel Area School Board members reached via email Sept. 17 about the bullets and investigations deferred comment to Berzonski.