On Thursday, January 26, members of the Shelton Police Department became aware of a threat to Oakland Bay Junior High School. We received information that a picture of a gun was being circulated on social media that told Oakland Bay students to “watch their backs” at school the following day (Friday, January 27) as the person planned to “shoot it up” at 1:30 p.m. The Shelton Police Department takes these types of threats very seriously and immediately started working with Shelton School District staff to determine the origin of the image and the credibility of the threat.
The investigation continued overnight and it was determined that the threat was not credible. Shelton Police officers were at the school Friday morning when students arrived, to meet with Shelton School District officials and to continue the investigation. At this time, the Shelton Police Department has two “persons of interest” identified in this case and is processing evidence to determine who created the image. Once we determine who initiated the threat, we will send the case to the prosecuting attorney and will request charges be filed against the perpetrator.
Chief Beason urges parents to talk to their children about social media usage, especially anything that could be construed as threatening, to make sure they understand there could be serious consequences even if the post was meant as a joke. Violent images and/or threats of violence are not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
Original source can be found here.
