COLUMBUS – Extra police were on duty at Thomas Worthington High School Wednesday morning after a threat was scrawled on a restroom wall and officials were notified of two online posts.
Worthington police investigated the social media posts by students, including one reported by an out-of-state law enforcement agency Tuesday evening, according to a message to parents from school principal Pete Scully.
Throughout the course of the evening, the Worthington Police Department has received and followed up on information about two social media posts by TWHS students. One tip was received from an out-of-state law enforcement group that monitors social media and the other was received from multiple Worthington students and their families. They are currently investigating and following up on those tips as I type this. We will follow their lead as they navigate through their investigation. We ask that you remain vigilant and share any information you may have that could assist us. Please talk to your kids and share anything that is relevant. -message from Pete Scully, principal of Thomas Worthington HS, to parents
Another post was reported by Thomas Worthington students and parents, Scully said. They were investigated and the students were cleared, he said.
The exact nature of the posts was not released but they came hours after students reported finding a message on a bathroom wall in which someone write that they intended to carry out a school shooting on Nov. 7.
Authorities had not identified the source of the threat and had not determined if it was credible.
Classes were held as scheduled Wednesday morning though there was an increased police presence on the school’s campus, according to city officials.
Anyone making threats against the school faces disciplinary action by the school district as well as possible criminal charges, city spokeswoman Anne Brown said