ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Two 14-year-old male students have been charged with felony terroristic threats after a bomb threat triggered a lockdown at William Allen High School late Thursday morning, authorities said.
The threat was reported around 11:30 a.m., prompting an immediate lockdown and emergency response. Allentown police, fire and emergency medical services units conducted a full search of the campus, but no explosives or hazardous materials were found, police said. The school remained evacuated for about 90 minutes before students were allowed to return.
The investigation remains active, according to Allentown police.
Thursday’s incident is the latest in a series of similar threats targeting Allentown schools in recent weeks. Two days earlier, police charged a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old student in connection with threats that led to lockdowns at Allen High School and Raub Middle School. On Sept. 29, another bomb threat forced Allen High to dismiss students early, and earlier incidents also affected Trexler Middle School.
Under the Allentown School District’s student handbook, making a bomb threat is a Level 4 infraction — the most serious category — and can result in long-term suspension, alternative placement or expulsion.
In a statement Thursday afternoon, Robert Whartenby, the district’s chief operations officer, thanked law enforcement, staff and students for their cooperation during the lockdown but condemned the repeated false threats.
Whartenby said the district is grateful to law enforcement partners for their swift response, to staff and students for following safety procedures, and to families for their patience and understanding.
“But we want to make it clear that these kinds of threats are absolutely unacceptable,” he said. “Every false report diverts critical public safety resources and disrupts learning for thousands of students.”
The district urged students, staff and community members to report safety concerns through the state’s Safe2Say Something tip line at 1-844-SAF2SAY or online at www.safe2saypa.org
