Students and staff at Haverhill High School briefly sheltered in place Friday morning after an unknown man approached a student on Brook Street, Principal Glenn Burns tells WHAV. Haverhill Police, including School Resource Officer Bill Mears, were immediately called via 911 to respond to the Monument Street campus and students were kept inside the building as a precaution.
In an email to parents sent at 10:16 a.m., Superintendent Margaret Marotta said the person was seen “moments ago” walking off campus after attempting to address a student as they exited their vehicle on Brook Street.
“We followed emergency procedures to the T. We made the next immediate decision to shelter in place in the building and waited for the all-clear from the Haverhill Police Department,” Burns said.
During the shelter in place, students continued to attend classes, and those who had scheduled sessions in the pool building remained in the gymnasium.
Haverhill Police issued an all-clear at 11 a.m. and students and staff were constantly updated on the situation over the public address system, Burns said.
Coincidentally, a fire alarm was also triggered during the shelter in place activity. According to the principal, burnt toast was the reason Haverhill firefighters responded to the building.
Haverhill Police continue to investigate Friday morning’s incident and dismissal is expected to take place as scheduled, Burns said.