Police increased their presence at Ferndale Middle and High Schools in Michigan after a threatening note was discovered in a student restroom, prompting additional security measures and an investigation.
The note was found at Ferndale High School on 15 November 2022, according to police. Officers were called to the school at about 9am and the discovery led to a precautionary lockdown involving both the high school and middle school.
Police later identified a 16-year-old male student as the suspected author of the note. He was arrested and the case was referred to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
The incident came a day after a separate social media threat resulted in the two schools being closed as a precaution. A 16-year-old girl was arrested in connection with that earlier incident, police said.
School officials said pupils would see increased police patrols, additional security and closer supervision while the investigation continued. Counsellors were also made available at both schools.
Parents who did not feel comfortable sending their children to class were told to contact the attendance office, with absences to be excused. The schools also said no tests or major assignments would be scheduled during the period, and pupils would be given time to complete missed work.
Authorities urged students and members of the public not to spread rumours or share screenshots of threatening messages online. Anyone with information was asked to contact Michigan’s confidential OK2SAY reporting service by calling 855-565-2729 or texting 652729.
Ferndale police have warned that threats against schools are treated as criminal matters, even when the person making them claims not to intend any harm.
