Bomb threats called in for several KC-area Catholic schools. Police investigating
Police are investigating what they believe to be swatting calls, or unsubstantiated tips, about bomb threats at Catholic schools across Johnson County Friday morning.
According to a spokesman for the Overland Park Police Department, various cities received calls about possible bomb threats at Catholic elementary schools, including Overland Park, Olathe, Shawnee and Roeland Park.
Reports of threats have expanded beyond Johnson County, as police departments in Ottawa and Topeka also report investigations into hoax calls.
Overland Park police responded to a call just before 8 a.m., according to Officer John Lacy.
“We responded to (Holy Spirit Catholic School, 11300 W. 103rd St) early this morning and we’ve already cleared the area,” Lacy said in a phone call. “The caller advised there was a device on campus.”
As of 9:30 a.m., Lacy said police believe the threats were false and that there is no ongoing threat. However, an investigation is still underway at the various parochial schools.
The Olathe Police Department responded Friday morning to Prince of Peace Catholic School, 16000 W. 143rd St., regarding a similar threat. After working with the fire department to clear the building, investigators found the threat was unfounded, according to an Olathe Police spokesperson.
In a social media post, the Olathe Police Department said it was aware of other cities in the metro receiving hoax calls.
“The Olathe Police Department takes all threats against schools in our community seriously as the safety and security of children there is our priority,” Olathe police said on Facebook. “We are currently investigating the origin of the call.”
The city of Roeland Park said on social media that a bomb threat was reported at St. Agnes Catholic School, 5130 Mission Road, Friday morning.
As a precaution, the building was evacuated and students were taken to the high school where they are being picked up by families, the Facebook post said.
“The Roeland Park Police Department is on scene, and bomb-seeking patrols are actively conducting a thorough investigation,” the Facebook post said. “There is no further action needed from the public at this time.”
In an email late Friday morning, the Leawood Police Department said it is investigating a threat at Nativity Parish School 3700 W. 119th St.
“While the threat appears to be a hoax, we take all information seriously and the safety of our community remains our top priority,” a Leawood Police news release said.
A spokesperson with the Federal Bureau of Investigation said they are working with local law enforcement on the case.
Dixon Land, a public affairs specialist with the FBI Kansas City, said in an email that the agency “is working with our law enforcement partners on these threats to determine their credibility, share information and take appropriate investigative action. As always, we encourage members of the public to remain vigilant and report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.”
The FBI said because it’s an ongoing matter, they could not comment further.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
This story was originally published December 19, 2025 at 10:33 AM.
