FRUITLAND, Md. – Authorities are investigating multiple bomb threats made on Monday night that seemingly targeted schools in the Fruitland area.
On Sept. 21, at 10:41 p.m., the Fruitland Police Department received two separate bomb threat calls through its non-emergency dispatch line. According to the communications call taker, both calls originated from the same telephone number; however, two distinct voices were heard making the threats. During the calls, the unidentified callers referenced “Fruitland Elementary School” and made statements involving “poison gas” and “gauging their eyes out.”
The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) noted that there is no school named Fruitland Elementary School located within the State of Maryland. However, out of an abundance of caution, law-enforcement personnel treated the threats seriously and immediately initiated precautionary security measures.
Police officers, fire marshals, and a K9 team responded to two other Fruitland schools to conduct searches; Fruitland Intermediate School and Fruitland Primary School. Following the completion of the searches, WCSO says no credible evidence of an explosive device, chemical agent, or other hazardous threat was located at either school. The opening of both schools was temporarily delayed while law-enforcement personnel completed the security sweeps. Normal school operations have since resumed.
WMDT has reached out to Wicomico County Public Schools for a statement on the threats.
WCSO says their investigation remains ongoing as they work to identify the individuals responsible for placing the threatening calls. Anyone with information regarding the threats or the individuals responsible is encouraged to contact the Fruitland Police Department 410-548-2804, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office 410-548-4891, or Crime Solvers 410-548-1776.
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