Hundreds packed the Gov. Mifflin Intermediate School cafeteria Thursday night as school district and law enforcement officials sought to separate fact from rumor following two recent security incidents on school property.<\/p>\n
The community meeting brought together Superintendent Dr. Lisa Hess, Berks County District Attorney John Adams, Cumru Township Police Chief Madison Winchester, Shillington Police Chief Brett Hivner and district Director of Safe Schools and School Culture Jeff Reichert to discuss the incidents and answer questions about the district\u2019s response.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Mifflin-Panelist.jpg\")
The community meeting Thursday at Gov. Mifflin Intermediate School brought together Shillington Police Chief Brett Hivner, Berks County District Attorney John Adams, Cumru Township Police Chief Madison Winchester and district Director of Safe Schools and School Culture Jeff Reichert to discuss recent safety incidents on district property. (MICHELLE LYNCH\/READING EAGLE)<\/p>\n
Much of the discussion centered on the Aug. 28 varsity football game against Wilson High School, which was halted in the third quarter and the stadium evacuated after people began running and shouting that someone had a gun.<\/p>\n
Adams stressed that investigators have found no credible evidence that there was a gun in the stadium.<\/p>\n
He urged anyone who saw or heard something that night to contact the Shillington police department, which is leading the investigation, rather than posting the information online.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt does not help us if you post something on social media,\u201d Adams said. \u201cThat\u2019s not how we conduct a criminal investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Gov.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Jeff-Reichert.jpg\")
Gov. Mifflin Safe Schools Director Jeff Reichert said security personnel were responding to a fight at a recent variety football game when students began running in the opposite direction yelling that someone had a gun. Neither person involved in the fight had a weapon, he said. (MICHELLE LYNCH\/READING EAGLE)<\/p>\n
School and law enforcement officials throughout the meeting repeatedly warned against relying on unverified social media posts.<\/p>\n
Reichert described the incident at the football game, saying security personnel were responding to a fight when students began running in the opposite direction yelling that someone had a gun.<\/p>\n
Neither person involved in the fight had a weapon, he said.<\/p>\n
Officials subsequently received a report identifying another student who allegedly had a weapon. That student cooperated with authorities and was searched, but no weapon was found, Reichert said.<\/p>\n
Officials also clarified a detail that has been the subject of speculation online: The fight that preceded the gun scare was not between students from the two rival school districts.<\/p>\n
During the question-and-answer session, Reichert said the fight involved a former Mifflin student and a current Mifflin student and was \u201cover a female.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hivner said the investigation remains open and police continue to pursue leads.<\/p>\n
The football incident was followed Tuesday by the arrest of two juveniles from outside the district. They were spotted near the transportation area during morning arrival at the intermediate school campus.<\/p>\n
Police found two kitchen knives and an airsoft pistol, a replica handgun that shoots lightweight plastic pellets, in their possession.<\/p>\n
Adams said the juveniles have been charged with possession of a weapon on school property and will be prosecuted through juvenile court.<\/p>\n
![\"Hundreds](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/crowd-at-Mifflin-2.jpg\")
Hundreds packed the Gov. Mifflin Intermediate School cafeteria Thursday night as school district and law enforcement officials sought to separate fact from rumor following two recent security incidents on school property. (Michelle Lynch\/Reading Eagle)<\/p>\n
Officials said there is no indication the Tuesday incident was connected to the football game.<\/p>\n
Hess said the district\u2019s emergency protocols worked in both cases, though officials acknowledged lessons were learned, particularly from the evacuation of more than 4,000 people from the football stadium.<\/p>\n
Several parents questioned officials about difficulties hearing evacuation instructions, confusion over the reunification site set up at the Gov. Mifflin Athletic Community Center and the ability of people to reenter the stadium as others were leaving.<\/p>\n
![\"Gov.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Lisa-Hess.jpg\")
Gov. Mifflin School District superintendent Dr. Lisa Hess warned district residents about unverified information circulating online. \u201cWe need to stop posting nonsense, lies, disinformation. It helps no one,\u201d she said. (MICHELLE LYNCH\/READING EAGLE)<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was chaotic,\u201d Reichert said. \u201cWe had over 4,000 people, people leaving, people coming back looking for their children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reichert said officials discovered the stadium public address system did not adequately reach all areas and are working on a more comprehensive emergency plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just walked through our stadium after this event to see where we need to change things or tighten things up,\u201d he said, \u201cand we\u2019re going to make a more comprehensive plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hess said she and the school board will discuss possible improvements to the stadium\u2019s broadcasting system and lighting.<\/p>\n
The district has announced tighter security for sporting events, including limiting stadium access to two entrances, restricting bags, prohibiting reentry and stationing an armed guard at each entrance.<\/p>\n