Students receive email threatening school shooting believed to be sent by United States based hacker

Students from Parkdale Secondary College and two other schools in Balwyn North and Brighton have received an email threatening a shooting, in an incident being probed by Victoria Police.

Hundreds of students at several Melbourne high schools were emailed threatening plans to carry out shootings at their schools.

The alert was sent to students at Parkdale Secondary College, as well as two other schools in Balwyn North and Brighton, about 9pm last night.

The menacing note, believed to have been sent by a hacker based in the United States, reportedly alerted students to a potential shooting incident at their school due to take place at 10am on Tuesday.

The email sent to Parkdale Secondary Students and other Melbourne students. Picture: Facebook

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said investigators were aware of the “threatening email” sent to the three schools, which was being treated as a hoax.

“There are no threats to the school or community,” she said.

A Department of Education spokesman said an investigation into the threatening email, which originated overseas, is underway.

“The schools involved immediately reported the emails to the Department and Victoria Police, who confirmed the emails are a hoax and that there is no threat to students or staff,” he said.

“Schools have relayed this advice and reassured their communities, with wellbeing support available to any student or staff member who might need it.”

In an email sent to parents on Monday evening, Parkdale Secondary College principal David Russell confirmed there was “no threat” to students and staff.

“Victoria Police have investigated the source of the email and confirmed that it originated from the USA,” he said.

“There is no threat to our students or staff, and police have confirmed our school is safe to open as normal on Tuesday.”

Students from Parkdale Secondary College received the threatening email last night. Picture: O'Brien Real Estate.

The account that was used to send the email has been deactivated by the school, which is being supported by the Department of Education’s cyber security team.

“The person whose account was compromised, and recipients of the email are understandably upset,” Mr Russell said.

“Wellbeing support is available at the school to anyone who may need it.

“We will always take these threats seriously by undertaking due diligence and a full investigation.”

The threat comes five months after St Bede’s College was plunged into lockdown after a teenage boy posted a terrifying image of a gun, with the caption “I’m unloading mags on my teacher”.

The 17-year-old boy was later arrested before getting away with a warning from police.