Crime & Safety
Bomb Threat Forces Wilson High School Evacuations
Parents received a message that their students were being evacuated to Deal Middle School.
Update, 2:14 p.m.:
Woodrow Wilson High School Principal Peter Cahall sent the following message to parents on Friday afternoon:
Dear Parents and Guardians:
I am writing to inform you of the emergency incident that occurred today at Wilson High School. At approximately 8:45 a.m., the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) informed me that they had received a phone threat that an explosive device had been planted at Wilson High School.
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During a search of the facility, a suspicious package was found. As a result, we evacuated the building and all students and staff walked to Deal Middle School.
Students and staff remained at Deal Middle School for approximately two and a half hours, until we received information from MDP that it was safe to return to the Wilson High School building. During that time, various staff from MPD and the DCPS central office reported to Deal to assist the Wilson staff with management of the emergency. Staff from Deal was welcoming and supportive throughout the situation.
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After we returned to the building, students went directly to lunch. We continued our classes in the afternoon by modifying the schedule so that all periods met for 41 minutes.
I want to thank all students and staff members for their cooperation and helpfulness. Despite the unexpectedness and discomfort of the situation, everyone pulled together, showing patience, unity, and respectfulness. I was proud of the Wilson community.
Sincerely,
Peter Cahall
Principal
Update, 12:06 p.m.:
DCPS has just tweeted that students and faculty are now returning to Wilson High School.
Update, 10:22 a.m.:
At 10:11 a.m., D.C. Public Schools tweeted, "Students and faculty at Wilson are safe and accounted for. They have been relocated to Alice Deal MS. Stay tuned for updates."
Original Post:
Students at Woodrow Wilson High School, which is located at 3950 Chesapeake St. NW and serves high school students in the Georgetown community, has been evacuated this morning due to an alleged bomb threat.
D.C. Fire and EMS are currently on scene and assisting the Metropolitan Police Department with the investigation, Fire and EMS Spokesman Pete Piringer said.
Officer Raul Mendez, a spokesman for MPD, said police have not verified that a bomb is actually present yet.
Parents received an email notice at 9:28 a.m. that their children were being evacuated to Deal Middle School.
The message said, "We have a situation that requires us to evacuate the building...I am sending the students to Deal Middle School...I will provide you with additional information when it becomes available....."
Patch will continue to update this story with more details as they become available.
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