Somerset Berkley boosts security following rumor of threat against student

SOMERSET — Just two weeks after a threatening social media post forced Durfee High School to boost security, police are investigating a threat at Somerset Berkley Regional High School.

In an email and phone messages sent out to parents Tuesday morning, Superintendent Jeffrey Schoonover said action was taken after the rumor of a threat toward a student circulated Monday afternoon.

Somerset police were made aware that '"someone' (unnamed) was rumored to have made a threat against one of our students" late Monday night, according to a joint statement from police and school officials, which did not specify the nature of the threat.

Durfee High: School increases security after 'threatening' social media post

School officials said "the Somerset Police Department, in cooperation with the school, investigated this rumor throughout the night and found no evidence of anything other than rumor."

School Resource Officer James Vicente-Roberts also spoke with potential witnesses Tuesday morning and "more information and names came forward and those have also been investigated."

"No persons connected to this rumored threat are present in the building today," the announcement states. "All students and staff continue to remain safe in their classes."

However, out of an abundance of caution school officials said there would be extra police presence at the high school campus on Tuesday.

"The safety of all is our first priority and we have taken this rumor very seriously," reads a message from Schoonover and Principal Dr. Susan Brelsford.

On Nov. 24, Fall River's Durfee High dealt with a similar situation, after "a student shared a screenshot of a threatening post and that this post was circulating on Instagram."

According to school officials, police established that the post was made by someone outside of Massachusetts and did not warrant closing the school.

Anyone with information related to the rumor at Somerset Berkley is encouraged to contact SRO Vicente-Roberts, the school or the Somerset Police Department.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Police investigate rumor of threat against Somerset Berkley student