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NMC unaffected by shooter threat
PSS: We take this seriously
The Northern Mariana College, who currently shares class space with the Saipan Southern High School, remains unaffected by an alleged security threat that placed the high school on lockdown Friday morning.
While SSHS classes were put on hold and the campus was on lockdown, NMC interim president Frankie Eliptico told Saipan Tribune that college classes remained unaffected.
He noted that NMC had already been on holiday leave for over a week when the alleged active shooter situation was reported to authorities last Friday.
He noted that NMC classes would resume on Jan. 7, 2019.
Separately, the Public School System assured that it takes any security threat seriously “…most especially if the threat is made toward our school community.” PSS stated.
The lockdown at SSHS was lifted 1pm Friday.
According to the statement, when the threat was received, SSHS school officials immediately notified local authorities and the nearby Koblerville Elementary School. Both schools went on lockdown Friday morning.
Saipan Tribune learned that the threat was made by an SSHS student after he allegedly emailed SSHS teacher Dora Miura and principal Vincent Dela Cruz of a possible active shooting event through his personal email.
“With the support of our local authorities and the PSS Crisis Management Team, personnel interviewed and searched classrooms and the school perimeter to ensure that there were no weapons or unauthorized individuals on campus,” a PSS statement noted.
“We want to thank our local authorities for their immediate response and diligent work. Their quick action allowed us to capably and efficiently handle the incident. We want to assure our parents and the community that the CNMI PSS take all threats seriously and the safety of our students and staff are of the highest priority,” the statement added.
