NHS Suspicious Package Incident A False Alarm

By Andrew Gorosko

What appeared to be a suspicious package, which was spotted unattended on the floor in a corridor at Newtown High School on Wednesday morning, turned out to be a harmless birthday gift that one student planned to give to another student, officials said.

The incident resulted in the evacuation of students from the lower C-Wing section of the school to the auditorium while the matter was investigated by police.

After it was learned that the package was harmless, the school’s routine resumed.

In a statement, NHS Principal Charles Dumais said that about 9:30 am, the suspicious package was found, after which that area was evacuated.

Police Sergeant Douglas Wisentaner said that the package, which was larger than a shoebox, was wrapped in gift paper and had a bow attached. But because it was found on the floor of a corridor without anyone nearby, it was thus considered a suspicious package, he said.

It was soon learned through questioning that the object was a birthday gift and did not pose a threat, Sgt Wisentaner said. No bomb squad was called, he said.

Police did not call any firefighters to the scene because the specifics of the incident did not require a fire company response, said Fire Marshal Bill Halstead.