School Bomb Threat Suspect Extradited

BERLIN — A Mardela Springs man, arrested in connection with a bomb threat made at Showell Elementary this month, was extradited to Worcester County from Delaware last week and remains behind bars on a $250,000 bond.

Patrick Earl McCready, 23, has been charged with making a false statement of a destructive device, arson threat and disturbing the operation of school activities following his arrest in Delaware after the April 7 incident. McCready was arrested in Delaware after investigators were able to connect him to the bomb threat at Showell Elementary.

According to the latest information, McCready allegedly made a statement to an individual currently living with his ex-girlfriend that he was going to cause harm to his ex-girlfriend’s child, a student at Showell Elementary. Information about the alleged threat was forwarded by the individual to the FBI through the agency’s tip line on the Internet on the evening of April 6. The FBI then forwarded the information to the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI), which then warned school officials about the impending threat the next morning. According to the latest release, McCready has denied any involvement with in making the threatening statement.

Around 8:40 a.m. on Thursday, April 7, school officials were immediately notified of the situation and the administration and Board of Education members made the decision to immediately evacuate the roughly 550 students from pre-school to third grade, along with teachers and staff.

WCBI responded along with Maryland State Police troopers and deputies from the Worcester County and Wicomico County Sheriff’s departments.

A complete search of the interior and exterior of the school was conducted with nothing suspicious or threatening located. After a roughly two-hour search, the school was deemed safe and the students, teachers and staff returned to the building.