Michigan schools CLOSED over fears of Oxford High School ‘copycat’ shootings after social media threats

MULTIPLE schools have closed following the deadly shooting at Oxford High School after threatening messages were found graffitied on walls and on social media.

Schools across Oakland County, Michigan, have canceled all classes for the remainder of the week after a school shooting killed four students at Oxford High School on Tuesday, November 30.

A handful of school districts around Metro Detroit have canceled classes as a precaution after threats were found written on a bathroom wall at Heritage Junior High School, Sterling Heights.

Holly, Rochester and Troy schools all canceled classes for Thursday, with schools sending a letter to parents saying they were working with police.

A statement by Rochester schools said there was no credible threat, but that safety was a priority, following multiple threatening messages on social media.

The statement reads: "There have been rumors circulating on social media indicating that other high schools may be at risk of experiencing a tragedy similar to the one that occurred recently at Oxford High School.

"At Rochester Community Schools, we take all threats very seriously,"

The closures follow the mass shooting at Oxford High School by a 15-year-old student, Ethan Crumbley, after he allegedly killed four of his classmates with his father's gun.

Crumbley, a sophomore at the school, is being charged as an adult after prosecutors said they are “confident” they can show the crime was premeditated.

He is facing 24 counts against him, including four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, one count of terrorism, and 12 counts of possession of a firearm. 

Crumbley's attorney entered a not guilty plea when he appeared in court on Wednesday, December 1.

The prosecutor said that evidence suggests the school shooting "was not an impulsive act" and may have been premeditated.

She said: "There is a mountain of digital evidence, we are confident that we can show there was premeditation."

The 15-year-old faces life in prison if found guilty.

Schools across the district will remain closed until next week, while the police investigate multiple threatening messages left at schools and on social media.

There have been no details as far as the Troy school district, but it sent a notice that school was closed for Thursday, Dec. 2.

Holly Schools will be off the remainder of the week due to "multiple reports of a potential shooting threat on social media," the district said in a statement.

Their statement reads: "At this point, our police department has deemed the threat not credible due to a lack of evidence,

"But given the extraordinary circumstances, we would like to take the next two days to ask our community to please share any information regarding any threats with school administration or the Holly police department at (248) 858-4911."

MULTIPLE THREATS

A senior at Southfield's alternative high school was arrested on campus with a weapon on Wednesday, the district reported.

There were no injuries and the weapon was confiscated by a police school resource officer from the student, at the Southfield Regional Academic Campus on Evergreen.

Social workers will be made available to students in the district, throughout the week as well.

Southfield district released a statement: "The district is actively working with the Southfield Police Department and Oakland County Tactical Response Unit to ensure Southfield Public Schools remains abreast of current best practices and professional training.

"Given yesterday’s tragedy in a neighboring community, the Southfield Police Department has increased their presence at all school locations."

"To continue to support the safety of our students and staff, we will be providing additional social worker support throughout the remainder of the week.

"Those needing more individualized support will be connected with our mental health partners."

Source: Read Full Article