Police, Parents Contacted After Gateway Middle School "Hit List" Found

MONROEVILLE (KDKA) – Parents and guardians of students at Gateway Middle School were alerted to a possible threat after a student was found with a list of 25 students he allegedly wanted to harm, as well as himself.

A letter and phone call went out to parents and guardians Thursday afternoon.

Gateway Middle School Principal Anthony Aquilio says that a parent informed school administrators and counselors that their son had a list of students he wanted to harm. The school has around 900 seventh and eighth graders.

"The principals went and dealt with the student. The hit list was found to be credible," Gateway Communications Director Cara Zanella said.

The parent had found the list in the male child's bedroom while he was at school.

Administration and Monroeville Police Chief Doug Cole pulled the student from class, and he was searched, detained and removed from the school.

The students who were on the list met with school administrators and their parents were notified.

Gateway Middle School will continue on a regular basis, and the school says they take matters like this very serious.

The threat comes just one day after a 16-year-old was accused of stabbing more than 20 students at Franklin Regional High School.

"Our number one concern is the safety for all the students and staff," Zanella said. "We're certainly aware that Franklin Regional is our neighbor, and we realize that everyone is on heightened alert just in general."

The student, who is not being identified, is being treated medically.

He will face the schools disciplinary code after that.

RELATED LINKS:
More Monroeville News
More Reports by Christine D'Antonio

Join The Conversation, Like KDKA On Facebook
Follow KDKA On Twitter