Two Perry Middle School students who “jokingly discussed plans for a school shooting” last week did not pose a credible threat to the school, but they do face possible charges of threats of terrorism, authorities announced Monday.
Perry Middle School Principal Ned Menke said the teenage students, a 16-year-old female and a 13-year-old male, made the “inappropriate” remarks last Thursday and were overheard by other students, who waited until Monday morning to report what they heard.
“The students involved were immediately pulled from class for questioning,” Menke said. “It was determined that there was not a credible threat to the school.”
He said the parents of the students making the comments were contacted and brought into the school Monday.
Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn said the juveniles have been referred to juvenile court on charges of threats of terrorism, a Class D felony.
“Their threats to commit such an act caused a reasonable expectation or fear of the imminent commission of such an act,” Vaughn said. “The Perry Police Department, working along with our school district, is committed to investigating such threats and filing the appropriate charges as necessary.”
Menke was equally serious about the incident.
“School safety continues to be our number one priority,” Menke said. “As a parent of a middle schooler myself, please rest assured that all potential threats will be taken seriously. I am thankful for the quick response of the Perry Police Department and for the students that brought these inappropriate comments to our attention.”
