Student Accused Of Making Threat At St. Joseph High School In Police Custody

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A 16-year-old student who is accused of making a threat to St. Joseph High School this week is now in police custody. The district sent word to parents Wednesday. Superintendent Jenny Fee says the student confessed Tuesday and said he never planned for any violence. Fee said the student was experiencing challenges in his life and made the threats as a call for help. He also said he had no means to carry out the threat. She goes on to say the suspect’s belongings, home, and vehicle have been searched by police and they found he had no access to weapons. The student is looking at a possible 20 years in prison on a charge of making a felony terrorist threat. Classes at St. Joseph High School resume Thursday. The student who left the threat will not be returning to class. Fee asked parents to talk to their kids about the danger of making such threats and also about how they’re feeling.

Fee’s full letter to parents is below:

“Dear SJPS Staff and Families,

This morning, our Administration and the City of St. Joseph Police concluded their investigation of the threat made at the high school yesterday. The individual who confessed to making the threat is lodged at the juvenile detention center, will remain in custody, and will not return to school. He is facing a charge of making a felony terrorist threat carrying up to twenty years imprisonment.

The threat that was made is resolved and no risk remains related to the threat. We are confident that our high school students are safe to return to school tomorrow, Thursday, December 9th. After school and evening activities scheduled for today will resume today. Leaders of such activities will communicate directly with their participants regarding any relevant details or information.

We have learned through our investigation that the individual facing charges has recently experienced significant challenges in his life and will be getting the support he needs. He made the threat as a call for help and never planned for any violence yesterday, or any day. He confirmed with law enforcement that he had no intention of ever carrying out the threat, nor did he have the means through which to do so. The City of St. Joseph Police have completed a thorough search of his belongings, home, and vehicles confirming there was no possession of or access to weapons.

Yesterday brought a range of emotions to all of us. I am angry and saddened by the events that occurred at our high school. I wish that our children did not have to experience an incident that might have resulted in them questioning their safety and security while at school. A school should be a safe haven in which children can learn and thrive; yesterday that was not the case. Unfortunately, yesterday’s event and the tragedy at Oxford High School last week are stark reminders for us all to remain vigilant and keep our children’s safety and security in the forefront.

While sad and angry, I am also appreciative of our administration who, in collaboration with the City of St. Joseph Police, were instrumental in resolving this threat expeditiously, yet thoroughly. Their knowledge of our student body, their professionalism, and their well established relationship with the local law enforcement allowed for swift identification of the suspect and thorough action to address the individual involved. Furthermore, after meeting with the staff at each school building this morning, I am confident that our SJPS staff is prepared and committed to supporting our students today, tomorrow, and through the remainder of the school year. In particular, I spent over two hours with the high school staff this morning processing yesterday’s incident and preparing to safely welcome our high school students back to school tomorrow. Their deep concern for and commitment to their students’ well-being is commendable and assuring.

Again, I encourage all families to have age appropriate conversations with their children about promptly reporting threats to trusted adults; making threats; refraining from social media banter about threats or sharing threats electronically, and about reaching out to a trusted adult if they are feeling anxious, scared, lonely, or depressed. It is also important to appropriately discuss the serious consequences that can result from making a false threat, whether serious in nature or done in jest.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding while we investigated and prepared for a return of SJPS students to our middle and elementary schools today and to our high school tomorrow.”