Active shooting report in St. John’s Prep in Danvers believed to be “swatting call” hoax

A significant police presence was present at St. John’s Prep in Danvers on Monday afternoon as a result of what is now thought to have been a “swatting” call rather than an active shooter.

Initial investigation, according to Massachusetts State Police, turned up no threats or injuries.

The report, according to St. John’s Prep administrators, came from Benjamin Hall just before 2:00 p.m.

Following the report of a person carrying a pistol, according to the State Police, troopers and Danvers police officers made “immediate entry.” Since then, police have conducted additional checks of the school, but, according to the police, “no evidence of a gunman or any threat has been located.”

According to State Police, “many students fled the school grounds on their own” during the event. A police officer may have unintentionally fired a gun, they added.

“Earlier this afternoon there was a report of an active shooter on campus at Benjamin Hall. Danvers and State police reported to campus and the school entered an enhanced lockdown protocol,” the school said in a statement on its website. “We believe that St. John’s was the victim of a Swatting call. Everyone is safe, there have been no injuries and police are currently clearing campus buildings as we account for all students.”