Portsmouth, NH schools closed Thursday due to school shooting threat

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Schools in Portsmouth, New Hampshire will be closed Thursday after officials discovered a threat against a school on social media.

Zach McLaughlin, Superintendent of Schools, shared on Facebook that Portsmouth police found a video of someone threatening to shoot up the school. McLaughlin says that police are investigating leads and that school will be canceled “out of an abundance of caution” until the issue is resolved.

“As the situation develops, I will be sure to provide you with updates as I am able,” wrote McLaughlin. “Finally, I just want to acknowledge the emotions of a moment like this. It can be laced with fear, anger, and sadness. Amid this challenging time, we appreciate your support as we do our best to keep our students and staff safe.”

School is scheduled to be back in session on Friday,

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern threw his support behind the closure.

“As a father I want to thank Superintendent McLaughlin for making the decision to prioritize safety and for the acknowledgment of the emotions at a time like this,” said McEachern on Facebook.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2023 Cox Media Group