Bomb threat at Bishop Walsh turns up empty

Cumberland police were still talking to students and faculty members of Bishop Walsh School in Cumberland this week after a bomb threat was written on a bathroom wall.

Signs of a bomb or explosive device were not found by the police, who said the threat was discovered in the middle of last week.

Cumberland Lieutenant Tim Amann said the words. “I hate this school and I’m going to blow it up Friday,” were believed to refer to Feb. 20.

Principal Sam Torres was not in school this week and unavailable for comment.

Dr. Ronald J. Valenti, superintendent of Catholic schools, said Mr. Torres was in contact each day during the scare to brief him on developments.

“You cannot take these threats lightly,” Dr. Valenti said. “The administration took the proper measures.”

Dogs were used to search the school. All rooms and spaces were cleared by the police, Lieutenant Amann said. Parents were sent a letter notifying them of the threat and that measures had been taken to make sure the school was safe.

Some parents at the school chose to keep their children home Feb. 20 as a precaution, while Dr. Valenti said all faculty members were in school.

Catholic Review

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.