Ellsworth High School Threat Determined To Be Not Credible

On Wednesday night, December 20th an Ellsworth High School student received a threat indicating there was a planned shooting at Ellsworth High School. The Ellsworth Police Department with the cooperation of the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit determined the threat originated from Manchester, England and was not credible.

Here is the press release issued by Ellsworth Police Chief Glenn Moshier
"On 12/20/17 at approximately 1920 hrs. The Ellsworth Police Department received information that an Ellsworth High School student received a threat from an unidentified source while engaging in an electronic conversation. The threat indicated a planned shooting at Ellsworth High School. An investigation into the source and potential validity of the threat began. Members of the Ellsworth Police Department with assistance from the Maine State Police Computer Crimes and the Ellsworth School department worked diligently late into the night, however the source and location of the threat was not revealed. The status of our investigation was shared with the Superintendent of Schools, Daniel Higgins who ultimately made the decision to close the Ellsworth schools for the safety and security of the students and staff.

On 12/21/17 the Ellsworth Police Department was able to establish that the source of the threat came from an IP address from Manchester England. This information was obtained from the internet site which housed the communication through a subpoena issued by the Hancock County District Attorney’s Office. Once we confirmed that the threat was not a credible threat we shared the results of our investigation with the Superintendent, Daniel Higgins.

The Ellsworth Police Department deeply appreciates the students who came forward with the information regarding the potential threat as well as the assistance from the Maine State Police Computer Crimes, the Ellsworth School Department and the Hancock County District Attorney’s Office.

No criminal charges are pending."