Authorities Investigate Bomb Threats Targeting Fruitland Schools

FRUITLAND, Md. – Authorities are investigating multiple bomb threats made on Monday night that seemingly targeted schools in the Fruitland area.

On Sept. 21, at 10:41 p.m., the Fruitland Police Department received two separate bomb threat calls through its non-emergency dispatch line. According to the communications call taker, both calls originated from the same telephone number; however, two distinct voices were heard making the threats. During the calls, the unidentified callers referenced “Fruitland Elementary School” and made statements involving “poison gas” and “gauging their eyes out.”

The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) noted that there is no school named Fruitland Elementary School located within the State of Maryland. However, out of an abundance of caution, law-enforcement personnel treated the threats seriously and immediately initiated precautionary security measures.

Police officers, fire marshals, and a K9 team responded to two other Fruitland schools to conduct searches; Fruitland Intermediate School and Fruitland Primary School. Following the completion of the searches, WCSO says no credible evidence of an explosive device, chemical agent, or other hazardous threat was located at either school.

The opening of both schools was temporarily delayed while law-enforcement personnel completed the security sweeps. Wicomico County Public Schools (WCPS) said staff and students were held outside of the schools until the searches were complete. Normal school operations have since resumed.

In a statement from WCPS, the school system thanked the participating law enforcement agencies for their work to secure the Fruitland schools, saying their response was essential in moving forward with a normal school day. School officials also said two messages were sent out to Fruitland Primary & Intermediate families to keep them informed; one prior to the search, and one following the search. 

“While the threat has been deemed as not credible, Wicomico Public Schools takes all threats seriously, as student and staff safety is always our top priority,” the statement continued. “Law enforcement continues to investigate the origin of today’s threat.”

WCSO says their investigation remains ongoing as they work to identify the individuals responsible for placing the threatening calls. Anyone with information regarding the threats or the individuals responsible is encouraged to contact the Fruitland Police Department 410-548-2804, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office 410-548-4891, or Crime Solvers 410-548-1776.

This article has been updated with statements provided by Wicomico County Public Schools.