Highland student made online threats to classmates, is in custody, police say

Police took a juvenile boy into custody on Thursday for allegedly making online threats against two of his fellow students at Highland High School.

“A student sent threatening messages to two other students. Administration immediately contacted the Highland Police. Officers responded quickly to resolve the situation,” Dr. Karen Gauen, Highland High School principal, wrote in an email to parents that was sent at 2:23 p.m. Thursday.

According to a press release from Highland Police, the school contacted the department at 10:44 a.m. on Thursday about possible threats posted on social media. Highland Police Lt. Chris Conrad said the 16-year-old boy used the social media site Snapchat to threaten bodily harm to the other students.

Students from the school saw the posts and made administrators aware of them, who then contacted police.

“We were very fortunate that they saw it and the students came forward to report the threats,” Conrad said, adding the students who reported the posts did the right thing. “They did exactly what we want them to do.”

Police responded to the school and were able to identify the boy as the source of the posts, the press release said, and took him into custody.

“Please know that your child’s safety is our first priority,” Gauen wrote in her email to parents. “We are thankful for the students who came to administrators to share their concerns. We are thankful for parents who encourage their children to talk with a teacher or administrator if they have concerns about safety.

“Thank you for all you do to keep HHS a safe and secure educational environment.”

Conrad said the case has been referred to the Juvenile Division of the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. The boy remains in custody, Conrad said.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office assisted Highland Police with the investigation.

This story was originally published January 12, 2018 at 10:57 AM with the headline "Highland student made online threats to classmates, is in custody, police say."