Avon Lake threat believed a hoax

AVON LAKE — An increased police presence responded to Avon Lake High School on Thursday morning after the district caught wind of a potential threat.

Bob Scott

Superintendent Bob Scott said the threat, the specifics of which haven’t been provided beyond that someone indicated violence would occur on campus, was made Wednesday night. However, Scott, who also said it wasn’t a bomb threat, said at this point it appears the threat wasn’t legitimate.

Students approached school officials after seeing a threatening text from someone saying something was supposed to happen Thursday or Monday, Scott said, and they provided screen shots of the threat.

“We got some names and police started an investigation last night,” Scott said. “The investigation was ongoing, but at this point we were pretty much able to substantiate that it was not a legitimate threat.”

Nonetheless the threat was out in cyberspace, Scott said, and even more so after numerous students shared word of it on social media. Eight police officers were at the school Thursday, he said, although there are no plans to cancel classes this week or next.

“We’re doing a very thorough investigation because you always take those things seriously,” Scott said. “Because we wanted everyone to feel safe we did have added police at the school this morning.”

Police will remain at the school at least through Monday, Scott said, and he praised the police, his staff and students for taking the threat seriously and acting accordingly.

“I really appreciate how hard Avon Lake police and my high school administrative staff have worked on this,” Scott said. “They’ve been very thorough and very professional.”

Scott didn’t say if the threats were made by Avon Lake High School students or someone outside of the district.

Once an investigation is complete, two individuals will probably face some form of disciplinary action and potential criminal charges. Scott said some students didn’t come to school on Thursday, which makes the threats even more serious since it interfered with those students’ educations.

School is hard enough without having to fear for personal safety, he said.

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