Anonymous threats that prompted evacuations and school closures in Lakeville and Elk River are being investigated as possible swatting incidents, according to Minnesota officials.
The latest investigation follows a series of threats involving weapons and explosives that disrupted school operations in the two Minnesota communities this month. Authorities have not found any weapons or explosives connected to the incidents, and no violence was reported.
In Lakeville, police responded Tuesday after a threat was sent through the school district’s anonymous reporting system. The message referenced firearms and explosives, prompting evacuations at both Lakeville South High School and Lakeville North High School.
Police searched the buildings but did not find weapons or evidence of violence. The investigation continued with assistance from state and federal law enforcement agencies as authorities worked to determine who was behind the threats.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said investigators believe the circumstances point toward swatting. In these types of incidents, false reports are made to trigger an emergency law enforcement response at a specific location.
Evans said schools and police still have to treat threats involving potential weapons seriously. That means evacuations or other emergency measures may be necessary even when investigators later determine that a threat was a hoax.
The Lakeville incidents came only days after a separate threat disrupted classes at Elk River High School.
On September 15, Elk River police received a potential bomb threat involving the high school. Students were dismissed early while officers, including K-9 teams, searched the building. Authorities did not find a threat, and the district said the early dismissal was made out of caution.
Elk River Police Chief David Kuhny said decisions involving school threats are based on public safety. The response can affect not only students and staff but also parents, emergency personnel and school operations.
The recent incidents are part of a broader concern for Minnesota school districts. According to the BCA, districts have reported at least 47 threats or incidents involving firearms on school grounds since a reporting law took effect in July 2025. However, that figure is not expected to include the Lakeville and Elk River incidents because districts are not required to submit their compiled reports until the summer.
Evans said Minnesota has seen an increase in both hoax threats and real threats involving schools in recent years. Investigators have also found that people responsible for swatting incidents may be located far from the community being targeted. In some cases, authorities have made arrests outside Minnesota, while other investigations have involved suspected activity originating overseas.
For families, the distinction between a real threat and a hoax does not make the initial response any less serious. School officials and police have to make decisions based on the information available at the time, rather than waiting to see whether a threat is genuine.
Lakeville officials canceled classes at the two high schools Wednesday while the investigation continued. The district said the schools were expected to reopen Thursday.
The investigation into the source of the threats remains ongoing. Authorities have not publicly identified a person responsible for the Lakeville or Elk River incidents.
For now, officials are continuing to investigate the threats as possible swatting cases while school communities work to return to nor
