Hoax calls alleging active shooters force multiple Utah schools into lockdown

Heavy police presence outside of West High School in Salt Lake City following a false report of an active shooter situation on March 29, 2023. Photo: Salt Lake City Police Department

UTAH — Multiple hoax calls went out to schools across the state between approximately 9-11 a.m. today claiming active shooter situations.

At the time of writing, the following high schools have been confirmed as victims of the hoax calls:

• Ogden High School
• Spanish Fork High School
• West High School
• Provo High School
• Box Elder High School

Lockdown protocols were initiated following the reports, and there has been heavy police presence at each of the schools as these calls are investigated.

The Salt Lake City police and fire departments responded to West High School at 9:37 a.m. following a report of an active shooter, although the Salt Lake City School District is currently on spring break.

“I am proud of the response from our officers and the Salt Lake City Fire Department,” said Mike Brown, Salt Lake City Police Chief. “We will do everything we can to identify the person or persons responsible for this unfounded report. These are not pranks or hoaxes; they put our community, including our officers, in danger.”

According to a press release from the Salt Lake City Police Department, the agency is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other law enforcement agencies to further investigate this and other unfounded active shooter reports.

In the state of Utah making a threat against a school even as a hoax is punishable as a misdemeanor, but could also lead to heavier federal charges.

“These calls are taken very seriously and are immediately looked into by law enforcement agencies,” said a statement from the Utah Department of Public Safety. “We ask the public to please stay calm as our local law enforcement partners have not verified the validity of these accusations and we are currently looking into the origin of these calls.”