RICHMOND (WWJ) - Richmond Community Schools has cancelled classes yet again for an investigation following what is now the third threat against a school in the district so far this month, administrators said.
Superintendent Brian Walmsley wrote to parents, students and staff on the district's website about the latest threat that was reported to administrators Wednesday night.
"At 6:43pm this evening, Ms. Marella, Principal of Richmond Middle School, received notification from OK2SAY that a middle school student was going to 'come to school with a gun and is not afraid to use it.'" he wrote.
WWJ's Charlie Langton reported that the Richmond Police Department visited the student's home to investigate the threat, but the student in question and their parents were unable to be reached.
"THEREFORE, SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2023, WHILE POLICE INVESTIGATE THIS THREAT," Walmsley wrote with emphasis.
The superintendent went on to say that the district offers free counseling services for pre-K-12 grade students through CARE of Southeast Michigan at (586) 541-CARE. Walmsley also urged students and parents to remain diligent and repot anything of concern to the school or to police.
"We need to support each other as the past few days have been frightening for students, parents, and staff," he continued. "Please take time to review with your children the dangers of threatening harm to individuals or spreading misinformation on social media and the possible consequences. The safety of your children and our staff are my highest priority."
In the first incident, school officials said staff found a threatening, anti-Semitic letter directed toward Richmond Middle School's newly hired dean on Jan. 3.
The dean, who had working at Richmond Middle School since Dec. 13, resigned his position on Monday. Richmond Community Schools were closed until Jan. 9 due to the threat.
Another Richmond staff members was the target of yet a second threat after they received an email on Friday. According to officials, the email threatened harm on the staff member if they did not quit. With police approval, the district kept schools open this last week while the teacher who received the email returned to work.
"Please," Walmsley directed toward parents after the latest incident, "take time to review with your children the dangers of threatening harm to individuals or spreading misinformation on social media and the possible consequences. The safety of your children and our staff are my highest priority."