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State Police

After active shooter reported at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts State Police determines that it was a hoax

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After police swarmed St. John’s Prep in Danvers on Monday for a report of an active shooter on campus, Massachusetts State Police did not find any gunman and confirmed that it was a hoax.

While responding to the active shooter call, a Danvers police officer accidentally fired a gunshot — leading to a massive police response to the campus.

“The initial response was a threat of a person threatening to cause harm located in one of the men’s rooms,” Danvers Police Chief James Lovell said at a press conference.

“During the initial search, there was an accidental discharge,” he added. “No one was injured, and that prompted the increased response.”

The officer fired their gun inside a men’s bathroom, and no one else was in the bathroom at the time.

Some students fled the 175-acre campus following the report of a person with a gun, quickly running toward the woods.

“This is everybody’s nightmare,” said Head of School Ed Hardiman. “Every parent given the context of our culture today is concerned that things like this can happen.”

“Our community has been really traumatized by this,” the head of school later added.

School officials believe they were the victim of a “swatting” hoax call, and police are investigating the source of the call.

“Threat of a shooter has been confirmed to be a hoax,” Mass State Police tweeted. “All search teams secure from the school. Investigation ongoing to determine the source of the hoax threat.”

Massachusetts State Police troopers and Danvers Police officers responded to the school for a report of a person with a gun at around 1:49 p.m.

“Earlier this afternoon there was a report of an active shooter on campus at Benjamin Hall,” St. John’s Prep wrote on its website. “Danvers and State police reported to campus and the school entered an enhanced lockdown protocol.

“We believe that St. John’s was the victim of a Swatting call,” the school added. “Everyone is safe, there have been no injuries and police are currently clearing campus buildings as we account for all students.”

St. John’s Prep has nine buildings and numerous athletic fields, along with a student and faculty population of more than 1,500 people.

“Several dozen local officers and MSP Troopers responded and made immediate entries to campus buildings and areas,” Mass State Police said in a statement.

“Those personnel, as well as additional personnel conducting secondary sweeps, found no gunman or threats of any kind and no victims,” Mass State Police added.

The report of a Danvers police officer accidentally firing a gunshot is under investigation.

“The State Police Fusion Center is assisting Danvers Police in the investigation into the source of the call,” Mass State Police said of the swatting incident.

Students were cleared out of the buildings. Some students ran from the school grounds on their own following the report of an active shooter. Numerous students were found in the woods next to the school.

“Students who fled school grounds on their own are being directed/shuttled to Stop and Shop, 301 Newbury St (Rt 1) Danvers,” Mass State Police tweeted. “Parents can report there to be reunited with their children.”

Developing…

Mass State Police Trooper Tamar Bucci’s academy classmates embark on journey to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

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Massachusetts State Police troopers who were academy classmates of fallen Trooper Tamar Bucci have embarked on a journey to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, where her name will be added to the memorial next week.

Bucci, 34, who worked out of the Medford barracks, was killed in the line of duty last March when her cruiser was struck by a gasoline tanker on Route 93 in Stoneham as she was trying to pull over to help a stopped motorist.

Her academy classmates — young troopers who graduated as the 85th Recruit Training Troop — on Thursday held a ceremony at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro before beginning their trip to the nation’s capital and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

“We honor the sacrifice of Trooper Bucci, but more than that, we honor the life she lived and the people she touched,” Mass State Police Colonel John Mawn said during the ceremony at Gillette.

“As you travel together in her honor, I know that she lives on in each act of kindness you perform — in each embrace that you make — in each remembrance of her life that you share,” Mawn added. “And I know that those you meet along the way, though they may not have known Tamar, will remember her through how she touched all of us here today.”

As part of their actions to honor Bucci, and in recognition of Bucci’s commitment to serving others, her classmates will perform an “Act of Kindness” in every state that they pass through on the way to Washington, D.C.

The troopers on Thursday performed their first “Act of Kindness” — bringing gifts to healthcare workers at Mass General Brigham’s new Center for Sports Performance and Recovery, located next to the stadium.

“It was an honor to come together to remember and honor fallen Massachusetts State Police Trooper Tamar Bucci today at Mass General Brigham Center for Sports Performance and Research and we are humbled to have been chosen as the Massachusetts site for the group’s first ‘Act of Kindness’ of the day,” said Elizabeth Matzkin, co-leader of Women’s Sports Medicine for Mass General Brigham.

“Trooper Bucci was passionate about physical fitness and wellbeing and we are so pleased to have been part of such a special day, helping to lift up an area of healthcare that so naturally aligns with her legacy,” Matzkin added. “We wish them a day filled with wonderful memories, service to others and, above all, meaningful recognition of Trooper Bucci’s lasting legacy.”

Established in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Last year, 245 officers lost their lives in service across the country.

No missing canoer found in Notown Reservoir after search Thursday

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LEOMINSTER — No missing canoer was found in the Notown Reservoir Thursday, despite an extensive search by authorities.

On social media, the Westminster Police Department said it responded to the Notown Reservoir off Palmer Road to assist the Leominster Fire Department and the District 8 Dive team in searching for a canoer who may have capsized. State Police also assisted in the search.

According to the emergency radio broadcast, a witness stated they had seen a person swimming to the shore after their canoe was spotted floating in the reservoir. Crews searched for about two hours before the incident was cleared around 2:23 p.m.

While the search was in progress, the right lane of Route 2 eastbound was closed to accommodate the heavy presence of local first responders.

Man found dead at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area Monday morning

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PRINCETON — Massachusetts State Police are investigating the death of a man in an apparent skiing accident at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area Monday morning, according to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester DA’s Office, aided by the Princeton Police Department, responded to a report of an unresponsive adult male found by another skier who was passing by, State Police said.

The man, whose name has not been released pending family notification, was later brought to the bottom of the mountain by Wachusett Ski Patrol and determined to be deceased.

The Sentinel & Enterprise’s sister paper, the Boston Herald, reported that the 67-year-old skier died after hitting a tree on an advanced trail.

Wachusett Ski Patrol responded to the incident around 9:25 a.m., whereafter they provided emergency care before handing his care over to first responders, according to the report. “All of our thoughts are with the skier’s family and friends,” the ski area said in a statement.

An investigation by State Police is ongoing, according to the Worcester DA’s Office.

Leominster traffic stop could crack Fitchburg Cumberland Farms robbery

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LEOMINSTER — A motor vehicle stop has led to the arrest of a man allegedly connected to an armed robbery at a Cumberland Farms in Fitchburg, State Police said Thursday.

Eddie Colon, 18, of Fitchburg was stopped in a Sears parking lot in a gray Nissan Altima around 11:33 a.m. Wednesday because his vehicle had no front license plate. After Colon was observed “moving erratically and reaching around the front seat area,” he was removed from the vehicle by Massachusetts State Trooper Ryan Tobin, who then searched Colon and the vehicle and recovered a loaded handgun with a laser sight as well as a mask, other articles of clothing, a bag containing marijuana above the legal limit to possess and a liquid prescription bottle in someone else’s name, according to State Police.

State Police said the firearm was found in a fanny pack strapped around Colon’s chest. Colon, who was not licensed to carry a firearm or have ammunition, was charged with unlawful possession of both.

When Colon was removed from the vehicle, State Police said a male passenger who lied about his name fled the scene. An investigation into the passenger’s identity is ongoing.

Later, State Police said it was determined that Colon had attached a license plate stole from another vehicle to the rear of the Altima. He was additionally charged with improper storage of a firearm, unlawful possession of a Class D narcotic, larceny, a number plate violation, possession of a stolen RMV document and driving an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle.

Further investigation conducted by Tobin and Massachusetts State Trooper Nolan Giroux in conjunction with the Fitchburg Police Department at the MSP Leominster barracks also led to evidence that linked Colon to the Tuesday night robbery of a Cumberland Farms in Fitchburg, according to State Police. A member of the State Police Ballistics Unit processed the gun, magazine and ammunition and secured them as evidence.

The FPD is expected to charge Colon in the armed robbery, according to State Police. Colon was arraigned in Leominster District Court.

State police join search for missing Fitchburg man

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FITCHBURG — Massachusetts State Police have joined the Fitchburg Police Department in searching for a man who has been missing since January.

State police said 23-year-old Ethan Freeman was last seen on foot in the area of Arlington Street in Fitchburg. He was reported missing on Jan. 29. Officials said he may have taken a rideshare to the Belchertown, Amherst or Gardner areas.

Officials said Freeman is about 5 feet, 11-inches tall with black hair and hazel eyes. At the time he went missing, he was wearing a gray winter jacket, jeans, a black hat and gray boots.

Additionally, officials said Freeman may have a firearm in his possession. At the time he went missing, he had a license to carry, which has since been suspended.

The State police Air Wing, Special Emergency Response Team and K9 Unit are working with Fitchburg police. On Feb. 15, the Air Wing also joined Fitchburg officers in their search for freeman.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or the Fitchburg Police Department at 978-345-4355. Additionally, Fitchburg Det. David Daigle is the case investigator and can be reached by calling 978-345-9650, ext. 1239.