UPDATE:
CBS 21 News has obtained information that State Police arrested a 16-year-old high school student in Lancaster County for threatening to shoot up the school.
State police say the 16-year-old boy said he wanted to be like the shooter at Sandy Hook Elementary.
State Police say they arrested a 16-year-old Solanco High School student in Lancaster County, for allegedly threatening to bring a gun to school.
Police say he cooperated with them and said he wanted to be like Adam Lanza, the shooter at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
State police arrested the boy at his home.
Even though the teen is in police custody, the school district spokesperson says everyone is still on high alert and increased security remains.
"It's my understanding the student that was arrested did not originate the rumor, however made an inappropriate comment in regards to the rumor,” explained Solanco School District Spokesperson Keith Kaufman. “And because of the thorough investigation that is being conducted that was turned up the student was arrested. Anyone who makes inappropriate comments or threatening comments is subject to prosecution and that's what happened to this student."
The 16-year-old is being held at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center.
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Pennsylvania State Police has arrested a Solanco High School student who said "he wanted to be like the shooter at the Sandy Hook Elementary School" and made threats to bring a gun to school.
The student was taken into custody without incident at his home.
He was taken to the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center.
Solanco High School released the following statement:
The Solanco School District and Pennsylvania State Police are conducting an investigation concerning rumors of potential violence at Solanco High School or elsewhere in the district on Friday. Student safety is a top priority in the Solanco School District, and while there is no evidence to indicate that this rumored threat is credible, it is being taken very seriously.
The Solanco School District has safety and security procedures in place in each of our schools to protect students and staff. The procedures were developed with input from police, fire, ambulance and other emergency responders. Solanco administrators and teachers frequently review the procedures so they can be quickly implemented whenever they may be needed. Counselors in our schools are available to speak with students who have concerns about the rumors they may be hearing. While postings on Facebook, texting and other forms of social media communication have caused the rumor to spread very quickly, there is no evidence that it is credible. (Other school districts in Pennsylvania have reported similar unfounded threats this week.)
State Police Troopers have been visiting the high school and other schools in Solanco, and they will continue to have a presence in the district Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. As part of the investigation, in attempts to identify the source of the threat, some students have been interviewed. Anyone who initiates a safety threat, or repeats a threat, is subject to prosecution. Part of any school-wide safety effort is the duty and responsibility of students, staff, parents and community members to report information they may have about anyone who may be responsible for spreading rumors.
We will communicate any new developments or information concerning these rumors when they become available.
Please be assured that the Solanco School District and State Police are making every effort to ensure the safety of all of our students. Please communicate to your children that the adults in their lives – parents, teachers, administrators, law enforcement and others – are constantly looking out for their well-being and safety.
Thank you.
CBS 21 News has obtained information that State Police arrested a 16-year-old high school student in Lancaster County for threatening to shoot up the school.
State police say the 16-year-old boy said he wanted to be like the shooter at Sandy Hook Elementary.
State Police say they arrested a 16-year-old Solanco High School student in Lancaster County, for allegedly threatening to bring a gun to school.
Police say he cooperated with them and said he wanted to be like Adam Lanza, the shooter at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
State police arrested the boy at his home.
Even though the teen is in police custody, the school district spokesperson says everyone is still on high alert and increased security remains.
"It's my understanding the student that was arrested did not originate the rumor, however made an inappropriate comment in regards to the rumor,” explained Solanco School District Spokesperson Keith Kaufman. “And because of the thorough investigation that is being conducted that was turned up the student was arrested. Anyone who makes inappropriate comments or threatening comments is subject to prosecution and that's what happened to this student."
The 16-year-old is being held at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center.
___________________________________________
Pennsylvania State Police has arrested a Solanco High School student who said "he wanted to be like the shooter at the Sandy Hook Elementary School" and made threats to bring a gun to school.
The student was taken into custody without incident at his home.
He was taken to the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center.
Solanco High School released the following statement:
The Solanco School District and Pennsylvania State Police are conducting an investigation concerning rumors of potential violence at Solanco High School or elsewhere in the district on Friday. Student safety is a top priority in the Solanco School District, and while there is no evidence to indicate that this rumored threat is credible, it is being taken very seriously.
The Solanco School District has safety and security procedures in place in each of our schools to protect students and staff. The procedures were developed with input from police, fire, ambulance and other emergency responders. Solanco administrators and teachers frequently review the procedures so they can be quickly implemented whenever they may be needed. Counselors in our schools are available to speak with students who have concerns about the rumors they may be hearing. While postings on Facebook, texting and other forms of social media communication have caused the rumor to spread very quickly, there is no evidence that it is credible. (Other school districts in Pennsylvania have reported similar unfounded threats this week.)
State Police Troopers have been visiting the high school and other schools in Solanco, and they will continue to have a presence in the district Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. As part of the investigation, in attempts to identify the source of the threat, some students have been interviewed. Anyone who initiates a safety threat, or repeats a threat, is subject to prosecution. Part of any school-wide safety effort is the duty and responsibility of students, staff, parents and community members to report information they may have about anyone who may be responsible for spreading rumors.
We will communicate any new developments or information concerning these rumors when they become available.
Please be assured that the Solanco School District and State Police are making every effort to ensure the safety of all of our students. Please communicate to your children that the adults in their lives – parents, teachers, administrators, law enforcement and others – are constantly looking out for their well-being and safety.
Thank you.