Northtowns Academy Students Shaken Up By Gun Hoax

TONAWANDA, N.Y. -- Town of Tonawanda Police say a report of a student with a gun inside Northtowns Academy, an Erie 1 BOCES school, turned out to be a false alarm. The 7-12 school was placed on lockdown around 2 p.m. Thursday while authorities investigated the claim.

Parents were notified via robo call, and were advised to head to the old Walmart on Niagara Falls Boulevard for more information. The lockdown was later lifted, and kids were released to head home right before 4.

One student said he and his classmates huddled in a corner as per procedure, and tell us he was relieved when it was all over.

“Right away, I called my mom. She said ‘Oh there was a lockdown.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I know.’ ‘Are you OK,’ she was like. I was like, ‘I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m going home now. Open up the door. I hope to see you,’” said junior Mohamed Amin.

School officials plan to debrief with students and staff Friday. They would not comment, however, if the student involved will face disciplinary action.