Police evacuate PHS after bomb threat
Published 8:03 pm Tuesday, September 11, 2012
By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor
The Pelham police and fire departments found no explosive devices at Pelham High School on Sept. 11 after police said a juvenile called in a bomb threat shortly before 4 p.m.
Pelham police Lt. David Rushton said police were notified of the threat, which “indicated an explosive was placed in a specific area of the school campus,” at 3:58 p.m.
After police officers and firefighters responded to the school, they immediately evacuated the area while explosive-detection canines searched the school. Police said the canines found no explosive devices at the school.
Rushton said officers were able to link the bomb threat to a juvenile suspect, who was located at his residence and interviewed by investigators. Officers said the juvenile “indicated the threat was a hoax, and no explosive device was placed at the school campus.”
Police then detained the suspect, whose name was not released. A juvenile petition, which could result in criminal charges in juvenile court, is pending, police said.
In addition to the Pelham Police Department, the Vestavia Hills and Helena police departments and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the incident.