Arlington students return to class after bomb threats cleared at 3 schools

ARLINGTON, Texas - Multiple schools in Arlington evacuated Tuesday morning after receiving bomb threats. Firefighters have since cleared those campuses and the students are back in their classrooms.

What we know:

The Arlington Police Department said it assisted the fire department in investigating threats to Ditto Elementary, Swift Elementary, and the Oakridge School.

At Ditto Elementary, school officials temporarily relocated all students to Martin High School by bus while firefighters searched and cleared the building. Arlington ISD asked parents not to go to Martin High School to pick up their students until they receive further communication from the district.

Students at Swift Elementary School and the Oakridge School returned to class following an earlier evacuation.

The fire department said no suspicious devices were located, and no injuries were reported.

What we don't know:

Authorities have not said who called in the threats or if anyone is facing charges.

Police said their investigation is ongoing.

Arlington ISD statement

This morning, anonymous threats were made toward two schools in Arlington ISD, Swift and Ditto elementary schools, and one other school not in our district. Staff called 911 and the campuses were evacuated. 

Arlington Police and Fire Departments responded immediately and quickly searched and cleared the Swift building. Swift then resumed the school day. The threatening phone call was determined to be a hoax, possibly related to others in the DFW area.

At Ditto, the evacuation lasted longer as the school awaited AFD to give the all clear. After 75 minutes of being outside without water, restrooms, and lunch, the decision was made to transport students and staff to Martin High School. There, students and staff had access to restrooms and were given pizza and water.

Arlington ISD immediately activated emergency response and reunification protocols, so Ditto parents could pick up their children at Martin. 

Once AFD deemed it safe to return to Ditto, plans were made to transport students and staff back to the campus. Students who were not picked up at Martin prior to 2 p.m. were safely bused back to Ditto.

We would like to thank the Arlington Police Department and the Arlington Fire Department for ensuring the safety of our students and staff. We would also like to thank Martin High School for assisting Ditto students and staff throughout this process.

ArlingtonCrime and Public Safety