Online Threat Shuts Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Schools Thursday

🔴 A threat to "shoot up" Portsmouth High School was made online in a video

🔴 Out of an abundance of caution, all schools were closed Thursday

🔴 "We appreciate your support," Superintendent Zach McLaughlin said

All schools in Portsmouth are closed Thursday because of an online threat against Portsmouth High School.

In a message late Wednesday night, Superintendent Zach McLaughlin said Portsmouth Police were made aware of a video in which an individual said they were going to "shoot up" the school. McLaughlin said that because the situation did not feel "resolved", he made the decision to cancel class for the entire district out of an abundance of caution.

Neither McLaughlin nor police disclosed additional information about the threat.

"I just want to acknowledge the emotions of a moment like this. It can be laced with fear, anger, and sadness. Amid this challenging time, we appreciate your support as we do our best to keep our students and staff safe," McLaughlin wrote.

The New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said it is working with local, state and federal partners to keep schools safe.

"All threats are taken seriously until such time as their validity is determined. Everyone is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to their local law enforcement agency," the HSEM said in a statement.

It's not the first time this school year Portsmouth schools were the target of a threat.

The Portsmouth and Dover school districts were among several New Hampshire districts that went on lockdown December 8 after police received messages about active shooters. The threat was deemed a hoax.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH