Blackfoot Police complete threat investigation
UPDATE: 3/1/18 4:00 p.m.: Blackfoot Police have completed their investigation of a school threat incident Wednesday.
Officers determined the juvenile in custody did not have a weapon at school and at no time were students or staff in danger.
As soon as the report was made, the school resource officer made contact with the juvenile and detained him.
Police say only one juvenile was charged.
While several varieties of comments and rumors appeared on social media, police said they only caused unnecessary fear and anxiety in the community.
Anyone with concerns regarding their safety or the safety of others is encouraged to contact local police directly and allow them to follow up on information.
Prosecutors advise, “threatening anyone with a firearm or other dangerous weapon on school grounds is a crime and may be subject to investigation and prosecution.”
UPDATE: 3-1 1:30 p.m.: Blackfoot High School administrators have decided to exempt all students from taking their final exams, unless the final is needed to improve their grade or is required as part of a dual credit class.
Grades K-8 were not scheduled for school on Friday because it is the end of the second trimester. Classes were dismissed at Blackfoot High School Thursday because of a perceived threat. That threat has been investigated and addressed.
But, in a statement, high school officials said “it is our sentiment that it is not in the best interest of students to ask them complete a final exam in light of recent events.”
If a student is required to take a final exam, it will be scheduled during the first week of the third trimester.
There will be no classes in the Blackfoot School District Friday.
The statement ended, “With the understanding that this incident has impacted our community, it is our hope this time away from school will provide an opportunity to have discussions regarding the importance of each individual in our community and how we can better connect with each other.”
UPDATE: 3-1 9:15 a.m. Blackfoot High School administrators have learned there were no new threats against the school or its students Wednesday.
The school was notified of threats by social media late Wednesday, but was not able to immediately validate or dismiss them. Administrators made the decision to close schools Thursday in an effort to err on the side of safety.
However, administrators were notified by Blackfoot Police early Thursday that the additional threat was not viable.
The district apologized for the alarm and disruption. The district’s administrative team planned to meet Thursday to analyze the event and learn from the experience.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Blackfoot School District will not be holding classes March 1st, 2018 after a threat made to Blackfoot High School.
The Blackfoot School District released this press release Wednesday night:
“Blackfoot High School administration and the school resource officer were alerted to a possible threat at the school. The staff addressed the concern immediately and appropriately. At no time were weapons or ammunition found at the school. The incident was investigated by the administration and local law enforcement. It was determined that no further threat existed at that time. Unfortunately, the school administration and local law enforcement have received new information that warrants further investigation. Therefore, in the best interest of the safety of our students and staff, the Blackfoot School District will not hold any classes tomorrow March 1, 2018.”
ORIGINAL STORYl:
Blackfoot Police took a 14-year-old male juvenile into custody Wednesday after investigating a threat to Blackfoot High School.
Police said the school resource officer reported a student making threats of a school shooting at around 12:30 p.m.
Officers considered the event a criminal threat and took the boy into custody on a charge of threatening violence on school grounds.
The family of the student was notified. Police said they have been cooperative.
Police determined the student did not have access to firearms.
