A wave of bomb threats targeted several West Valley schools Thursday morning, forcing evacuations and canceling classes before authorities determined the threats were fabricated.
The first call came in around 7 a.m. at Canyon View High School, where a staff member received a voicemail from someone claiming explosives had been placed on campus. Students and staff were relocated to the football field while officers searched the building. As the morning unfolded, similar threats surfaced at Verrado High School and the shared campus of Verrado Elementary and Middle School. Festival Foothills Elementary was also targeted, though it was already closed for spring break and unaffected operationally.
Classes were canceled for the day at the schools that were open and received threats. Parents were directed to the district’s Remind communication platform for updates.
Buckeye police ultimately concluded the threats were a hoax, and investigators noted that nearly identical incidents have been reported in other states around the same time — suggesting a coordinated effort timed to coincide with schools returning from spring break. Authorities warned that additional threats may emerge as more campuses reopen in the coming days.
No suspect has been identified and the investigation remains open.
