Enhanced security measures caused long lines and a schedule delay on Monday morning at State College Area High School on the first day back to classes after police arrested a man accused of planning a shooting at the school later this month.
District Superintendent Curtis Johnson said that otherwise the process ran smoothly and no major issues were reported.
Students were required to go through metal detectors and show school ID at all entrances to the high school and Delta building, and an extra police presence was on hand throughout the district “out of caution,” Johnson wrote.
Some students waited on buses as long lines formed upon arrival at the high school on Monday morning, and the last students entered the building at 9:45 a.m.. Classes subsequently ran on a one-hour delay “to provide the best possible educational opportunities,” Johnson wrote.
The metal detectors will remain in place on Tuesday.
“We want to extend our sincerest gratitude to our students for their patience and to our faculty and staff for their help in expediting the process so that it went smoothly,” Johnson wrote. “We also appreciate the State College Police Department for providing an extra security presence on campus and throughout the district.”
The extra security came after Braeden Phillips, 20, of Milroy, was charged on Saturday with conspiracy to commit murder and unlawful possession of a firearm for allegedly plotting a mass attack at the high school on April 21, the day after the 26th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting in Colorado.
After receiving a report from a concerned resident, a State College police investigation determined the threat to be credible. Witnesses told police that Phillips and possibly an unnamed juvenile who has not been named planned to carry out the shooting at the main staircase of the high school and use explosive devices in the restrooms during a high-traffic transitional period in the morning, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
Phillips spoke of a “hit list” of targeted individuals and was seen twice with a Glock style handgun, police wrote.
A search warrant was executed at his residence and he was taken into custody. Phillips was arraigned on Saturday by District Judge Casey McClain, who denied bail, citing “extreme danger to the community.”
School district and local officials praised the resident who made the initial report and local law enforcement for their swift action.
“School safety is imperative for us, and along with various security measures, the close relationship we have with local law enforcement enables us to maintain a safe environment for our students and staff,” Johnson wrote on Saturday. “It’s times like this when we must rely on their guidance and expertise, and we are grateful for their partnership.
“With the potential threat thwarted, we wish to express our gratitude to our school resource officer, Matt Hertlein, and the State College police for their swift response and coordination to protect our high school community,” Johnson wrote on Saturday. “School safety is imperative for us, and along with various security measures, the close relationship we have with local law enforcement enables us to maintain a safe environment for our students and staff. It’s times like this when we must rely on their guidance and expertise, and we are grateful for their partnership.
“The situation serves as a powerful reminder of the impact an individual can make,” Johnson wrote in a separate message. “The investigation began, and a planned attack was ultimately thwarted, because someone stepped forward and shared their concerns. As the State College police highlighted yesterday, if you see something, say something. We are profoundly grateful to this individual for their courage, and we encourage everyone to follow their example in the future.”
State College Mayor Ezra Nanes and his wife, Mieke Haeck, who are parents of school-aged children, said in a statement that they are “shaken, but we are also deeply grateful—for the people who spoke up, and for the professionals who responded with speed, care, and resolve.”
“As parents, we feel what so many of you are feeling right now. It’s incredibly hard to send your children to school the day after learning what almost happened,” Nanes and Haeck wrote. “The weight of that fear is real, and it’s something no parent, no student, no teacher should ever have to carry.
“Today, more than ever, we are reminded of the power of community. It was someone’s decision to speak up that made all the difference. If you ever suspect something is wrong—say something. It can save lives.
“We also want to acknowledge that this is not just about one individual or one day. We must continue to talk about the critical importance of mental health support, particularly for young people. And we must keep working toward real, meaningful gun reform to protect our schools and our communities from the ever-present threat of gun violence.”
