NEOSHO COUNTY —Law enforcement and school districts across Kansas are investigating school threats and several individuals have been taken into custody.
On Tuesday, the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a social media post that mentions St. Paul school along with a couple of other schools outside of Neosho County as being on an alleged list, according to a media release. Law Enforcement in those jurisdictions have been notified and Neosho County investigators are currently following leads as the post is being treated as a criminal threat.
On Tuesday, The Dodge City Police Department reported they were aware of two circulating Snapchat messages that contain threats to Comanche Middle School and Dodge City Middle School, according to a media release. "We are actively working to identify the individuals responsible, and officers are increasing patrols around the schools to ensure student safety."
The Liberal Police Department reported they were also aware of a recent threat regarding a potential school shooting. After following several leads, the police department determined that the threat is non-credible.
Law enforcement are investigating a surge of reports of a vague school shooting threat circulating online about the USD 230 Spring Hill school district, according to a statement from the Johnson County Sheriff's office. To be proactive, the sheriff's office has increased their presence at schools in Spring Hill and adjacent districts in Johnson and Miami counties.
Junction City Police and Geary USD 475 investigated school threats made on TikTok against Junction City Middle School.
On Friday, September 13th, officers in Junction City were alerted to additional social media activity, which included a list of names of students and staff from USD 475 posted on Snapchat. On Tuesday, the Junction City Police Department identified a juvenile believed to be responsible for the post. Police arrested the juvenile, charged them with Aggravated Criminal Threat, a Level 5-person felony, and later released them to their parents.
In Hays, police received a report of a written threat of a bomb inside Hays Middle School, 201 W 29th Street, Hays, according to a statement from Police Chief Don Scheibler.
The Hays Police Department worked with members of the USD 489 staff to fully investigate the reported threat. The school and the grounds were searched by members of the Hays Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol Emergency Service Unit (canines), Scheibler said.
The school was determined to be safe.
During the investigation, the Hays Police Department also identified and located the person who made all the threats against Hays Middle School, Scheibler said.
A 37-year-old Salina man was arrested September 13, after he allegedly made alarming statements about plans to "shoot up a school" while standing in line at a local Casey's convenience store.
Police recommend that parents talk with their children about the consequences of making threats. We would also ask that parents educate children not to re-share social media posts but rather contact law enforcement immediately.