Same Caller Behind Threats That Locked Down Masterman, Evacuated Ben Franklin And School Of The Future

PHILADELPHIA — One caller was behind the threats that locked down Masterman and forced evacuations at Benjamin Franklin High School and the School of the Future on Friday morning, Philadelphia police said. All three threats turned out to be unfounded, and no arrest has been announced.

Timeline

According to preliminary information from the Philadelphia Police Department, reported by FOX29:

• Masterman School, 1699 Spring Garden St.: lockdown began around 8:30 a.m. and was cleared by 9:31 a.m.
• Benjamin Franklin High School, 550 N. Broad St.: evacuation began about 9:28 a.m.; normal operations resumed at 9:56 a.m.
• School of the Future, 4021 Parkside Ave.: evacuated at about 9:32 a.m.; normal operations resumed at 10:28 a.m.

In total, the disruption across the three schools stretched about two hours, from the first lockdown at Masterman to the all-clear at the School of the Future in West Parkside.

Same caller, no arrest yet

Police said the threats to all three schools came from the same caller but have not released any details about that person. Police said they are still reviewing the circumstances of the calls and will share updates when available.

Making a false threat against a school is a crime in Pennsylvania. Terroristic threats that cause the evacuation of a building can be charged as a felony, and courts can order defendants to pay for the cost of the emergency response.

Anyone with information can contact Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477).

Source: Philadelphia Police Department via FOX29.