Dedham football game canceled after police receive anonymous tip of shooting threat

DEDHAM, Mass. — Dedham High School’s varsity football game scheduled for Friday night was canceled hours after school officials received an anonymous tip of a shooting threat at the game.

Officials at Dedham High School received a tip earlier Friday from a caller who said there was a rumor that a student was planning to “shoot up the football game today.”

Dedham Public Schools announced that the game against Dover-Sherborn originally scheduled to kickoff at 6:30 had been canceled around 4:30 p.m.

Police had previously announced the game would continue as scheduled but they were planning to increase the number of officers at the game and fans bringing a bag or a container will be denied entry.

Fans, students, and families arrived at Dedham High School only to find out the game was postponed.

“It makes sense,” said Rob Burke, who planned to record the game for Dover-Sherborne. He is also a Republican congressional candidate.

He added, “I think you can’t be emotional on this. You have to have your head screwed on correctly so you can make the right, informed decision.”

Will Fitzgerald, former captain of the Dedham High School football team scouted out the field after hearing the game was cancelled an hour before kickoff.

“You have to take things like this seriously,” said Fitzgerald, who graduated high school last year.

Addressing the team, he added, “Just stay strong. Keep the energy high.”

It is not currently known if the game will be made up at a later date.

Boston 25 News has reached out to Dedham Public Schools for more info.

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

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