Northwestern student accused of school threat faces charges

Northwestern Schools. Bill Lackey/Staff

Northwestern Schools. Bill Lackey/Staff

A Northwestern student has been charged in connection with an alleged school threat last week.

Authorities didn’t release the identity of the student, but a police report obtained by the Springfield News-Sun says the student was arrested at Northwestern High School on Feb. 23.

“Deputies were dispatched to Northwestern High School in reference to a threat found on Snapchat,” the report says.

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No information was released about what the alleged threat said.

Northwestern Superintendent Jesse Steiner said the student didn’t intend to threaten anyone with the post but said it was in bad taste.

“There probably will be some repercussions,” he said.

The post created some fear in the community, Steiner said, and after the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., it wasn’t a good idea.

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The post is a reason why it might be a good idea to talk to kids about what they post online, Steiner said.

“This is a great time to talk about what they post online and how they say it,” he said. “Have that conversation so they can keep their kids safe.”

The alleged school threat also came just two days after a Springfield High School student was alleged to have posted on Facebook that she planned to bring a gun to school and open fire at an “SHS.” The Springfield Police Division, Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the South Charleston Police Department all put officers in schools on Thursday in response to those threats.

That Springfield student was charged in Clark County Juvenile Court with inducing panic.

MORE: Teen accused in Springfield school threat makes court appearance

On Wednesday night, a Mechanicsburg Middle School student also was arrested after allegedly making a threat against the school, according to police. Details of that threat weren’t released.

Administrators received information regarding the threat after school, Mechanicsburg Superintendent Danielle Prohaska said in an email to parents. Police, the school resource officer and administrators responded immediately and conducted an investigation.

“We take all threats made against student safety seriously until proven otherwise,” Prohaska said in the email. “I continue to ask for your help in reinforcing the importance of speaking up and speaking out.”

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