Superintendent: Students Safe After Salem High Lockdown

Salem School Superintendent Michael Delahanty issued a press release Thursday morning explaining the decision to lock down Salem High School following an attempted murder in town.

"This morning at approximately 8:30 a.m. Salem Police Department officials notified the school district that an 18-year-old with ties to Salem High School had stabbed his mother and fled the scene," Delahanty said. "There was some concern that the suspect might make his way to Salem High School. 

"High school officials initiated a shelter in place protocol, which essentially allows normal activity within the school but limits visitor access. Only parents were allowed to enter the school. Also, students in classes within our portable classroom units were kept inside and not permitted to travel between their classes and the main building. "

Delahanty said the same procedure was initiated at other schools within the district, as there was some concern that the suspect, if confronted near any one of the district's schools, might try to gain access to the facility.

Shortly before 10 a.m., he said the school district learned that the suspect’s car had been located in another community, but there was some fear that he would have gained access to another car and made his way back to Salem. As a result, increased security was maintained.

At approximately 10:25 a.m., the school district learned that the suspect had been apprehended and the shelter in place protocol was lifted. 

"We’re very proud of the way high school officials managed to maintain calm at their school and the way all administrators and staff were able to ensure that a sense of calm and routine were maintained at all schools despite the unsettling concern for this tragic event," Delahanty said. "Our students and staff can also be commended for managing to adhere to a sense of normalcy despite a slight change in protocol and routine. Our parent community is owed a debt of gratitude for not overreacting to news that appeared across social media."