PESHTIGO, WI (WTAQ) – A Peshtigo School district student made a threat to shoot up the high school on social media Sunday.
He was interviewed and then arrested by Peshtigo Police.
The school district and Peshtigo Police say there’s is no longer a threat associated with this incident.
While saddened to get the news, District Superintendent Kim Eparvier says, unfortunately, it’s a sign of the times.
“I don’t think any community today is safe and free from any type of threat.”
Peshtigo High School student Delaney Johnson says she was a little nervous at first.
“I was pretty concerned, I took it pretty seriously. But, I came to school and everything seemed to be alright, there were police officers here.”
Eparvier says he contacted police right away when he found out about the threat.
“When we were made aware of that situation we obviously wanted to make sure that the student was in custody.”
But even with the quick arrest and the added police presence at the school, Delaney Johnson says noticed attendance was down.
“Less students than normal in my first hour classes, and then some even left during first hour because they felt unsafe.”
Charges against the student are being referred to the Marinette County Juvenile Court service.
NE Wisconsin schools from communities large and small have been the targets of similar threats of violence.
Most have turned out to be kids playing a joke or looking for attention.
Eparvier says it might be time for school districts, parents, police, and lawmakers to get together and come up with a unified response and punishment that reflects the seriousness of this action.
