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December 18, 2012

Jeffersonville High School student arrested

Police: Facebook post threatens school violence

By GARY POPP gary.popp@newsandtribune.com

JEFFERSONVILLE — A Jeffersonville High School student was arrested Tuesday after making a post on Facebook that put school and law enforcement officials on alert, police report.

The student, a 15-year-old male, is facing charges of terrorist deception, a class C felony, and intimidation, a class D felony.

Jeffersonville police described the post as threatening violence at the school, but would not elaborate on the specifics of the message.

Before the school day began Tuesday, the student was identified and isolated from other students, police reported.

JPD and Greater Clark County Schools held a press conference in reference to the incident Tuesday afternoon.

“JPD and the school administration believe at no time were any students or staff in danger,” Jeffersonville Police Detective Todd Hollis said in a statement. “We have uncovered no evidence that this student was collaborating with anyone else when he made these threats.”

Hollis’ statement continued that any person who makes threats against school safety will be dealt with by law enforcement swiftly and to the full extent of the law.

GCCS also released a statement stemming from the incident.

“The student had no intent or means to act violently, but he did inappropriately communicate a rumor using social media,” the statement reads. “Although an arrest has been made, the investigation is ongoing.”

GCCS reported that district-wide steps have been taken to implement safety measures and officials say the district will install camera and buzzer systems to control visitor access to buildings by Jan. 7.

“As always, the district’s top priority is the safety and well being of our students and staff, and I strongly encourage all parents to feel comfortable sending their children to school the rest of the week,” GCCS Superintendent Dr. Andrew Melin released in a statement during the press conference.





SO YOU KNOW

Greater Clark County Schools officials on Tuesday said district-wide steps have been taken to implement safety measures at its schools, including:

• The installation of camera and buzzer systems to control visitor access to buildings by Jan. 7.

• Parents or guardians who wish to visit a school must notify administrators and may be asked to present an identification card to access the building.

• Classroom doors will also be closed and locked during class times.



 

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