Allentown school on edge after fights, threats, arrest

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Students of William Allen High School in Allentown were on edge Monday after planned fights, a gun scare and a lockdown last week.

Tensions started escalating when a fight involving several students broke out last Wednesday near the corner of West and Linden Streets.

Investigator say the following day several smaller fights ensued.

It all came to a head though when a former William Allen High School student, 18-year-old Marcus Crespo, wrote a Facebook post indicating he was going to the school with a gun to "settle the score."

The school was actually placed on lockdown at the end of the day because of the threat.

It was a bit past 2 p.m. that afternoon when Allentown police officers spotted Crespo walking toward the school.

Investigators say they approach the suspect, patted him down, and found a loaded 9 mm handgun in his waistband.

Allen High students we spoke with say, it's simply should not be this way.

"I have been leaving school because I've been seeing cops and stuff and I don't like to be around that type of environment, so I just leave school so I won't be involved in all that," said Jose Rivera.

"School should be a place where you feel safe instead of having to worry guns being brought to school and fights," said Jordanny Duprey.

None of the incidents occurred on school grounds, and officials hope the arrest helps calm things down.

Crespo is charged with firearms violations and making terroristic threats. He remains behind bars on $25,000 bail.