ADRIAN, Mich. — Editor's note: Shortly after 11 a.m. on Monday, Adrian police issued a press release with further information regarding this incident.
Adrian Public Schools Superintendent Nate Parker provided further information to students' families Monday afternoon. This story has been updated to reflect new information both in the Adrian police press release and Parker's email.
An Adrian High School student is in police custody Monday after making a threat against the school, according to a Facebook post made by the school district.
In an email sent Monday afternoon, Adrian Public Schools superintendent Nate Parker said a district administrator received an email from a parent Monday morning. The parent had expressed concern regarding a video message a student posted to social media that included a school safety threat and briefly showed a "handgun that was partially obscured."
School administrators immediately placed the district under emergency protocols and contacted law enforcement. Adrian Public School and Adrian police worked together to determine the credibility of the threat.
According to a press release issued by Adrian police, the student's social media post stated, "Don't come to school tomorrow." Police took the student into custody and confiscated the weapon, which they said was an Airsoft Rifle.
School officials corroborated this, saying the student had obscured the weapon in the social media post to make it appear as if it were a real gun.
At 6:25 a.m., district officials announced on Facebook that Adrian Public Schools would be operating on a two-hour delay following a tip they received at 6 a.m. regarding school safety. Officials said the school would be closed to all staff and students while law enforcement continued to evaluate the situation and rule out all possible threats.
The district posted an update at 7:45 a.m. that law enforcement had taken a high school student into custody in relation to the threat. To allow law enforcement and school officials to further investigate the specifics of the threat, the district upgraded the two-hour delay to a district-wide closure.
Superintendent Parker said Monday afternoon that law enforcement and school officials had determined there was no legitimate threat to students or staff. He also said the student who allegedly made the threats is facing serious legal and school repercussions. In an email, he encouraged parents to have a conversation with their students regarding the severity of the threats.
He also said that those who have concerns regarding school safety should contact law enforcement first in the event that a school official is not immediately available, especially if the incident occurs outside of regular school hours.
According to Parker, all elementary and middle school extra-curricular activities have been canceled Monday. High School activities will continue as planned, but students and parents should communicate with coaches and instructors regarding updates or changes.
Although the threat was determined to be illegitimate, Adrian police will provide additional surveillance during any after-school activities or events.
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