Police are saying that criminal charges are likely after a Marysville student allegedly made threatening comments.
“We are aware of some threatening statements made by a student of the Early College High School and are investigating the incident, criminal charges are likely pending,” Marysville Division of Police Deputy Chief Tony Brooks said in a statement to the Journal-Tribune.
According to an e-mail from Ken Chaffin, principal at Marysville’s Early College High School, about 1 p.m., Thursday, a student went to what Chaffin called, “a trusted staff member in our building.”
The student told the adult they heard another student, “make a comment about a school shooting.”
Bo Spain, deputy chief at the Marysville Division of Police, said the threat was “very vague.”
The school staff member contacted Chaffin and began working through the district’s safety plan.
“As a part of that plan, we immediately contacted the Marysville Police Department and began our investigation with local law enforcement,” Chaffin said.
Spain said the matter is, “still in the early stages of the investigation.”
School officials said they, “have not discovered any evidence that leads us to believe that there is a threat to anyone.”
“We treat every situation like this with the highest level of concern, and we are proud of our student for doing the right thing by reporting this information to a trusted adult,” Chaffin wrote.
Officials said they are continuing with the district and building protocols outlined in the code of conduct.
Chaffin said the district has also, “implemented discipline procedures consistent with our handbook as well.”
Law enforcement officials confirmed the student is not in school today.
Chaffin said he would notify families, “should additional pertinent information come available as a part of our investigation.”
The principal said school safety is and will continue to be the district’s top priority.
“Every student and staff member in our building need to be safe and feel safe,” Chaffin wrote in the letter to families.
He said the incident should serve as a reminder to parents to talk with their children about “the importance of telling a trusted adult when they hear something or see something that gives them concern.” “This is also a good opportunity to remind them that there is never an appropriate time to make jokes or flippant comments around the theme of violence in schools,” Chaffin wrote.