DETROIT (WWJ) -- A number of false threats were phoned into high schools across Michigan on Tuesday, from Battle Creek to Detroit, prompting a serious warning from authorities investigating the fake claims.
"While some may consider it a joke, it is a good way to ruin your life if convicted of a false threat of terrorism," Michigan State Police alerted the public in social media update on the "swatting" incidents being reported in Okemos, Jackson, Muskegon, Saginaw and Battle Creek.
The Michigan Attorney General's office defined swatting as a "prank call made to emergency services in an attempt to dispatch law enforcement to a particular location."
As of 11 a.m., police said false threats caused the lockdown or evacuation of Ann Arbor Huron, Detroit Renaissance, Okemos High School and Jackson High School.
According to MSP, none of the threats have so far been credible.
The Meridian Township Police and Fire Departments stated there is no imminent threat at Okemos High School after receiving a call about an active shooter on Feb, 7.
Just before 10:30 a.m., Okemos Public Schools superintendent John Hood stated that students and staff were safe after police investigated the 911 report by an unknown caller.
"This morning a 911 report of shots fired at Okemos High School caused Police officers to respond to the school, and our emergency procedures of building lockdown were followed. The high school building has been cleared, and no threat has been found," Hood said. "We will be following our reunification plan for all OHS families."
Authorities said another call of the same nature was made to Jackson High school where staff initiated a lockdown, but no credible threat was found by police.
While the lockdown was lifted, Superintendent Jeff Beal said the high school students will be released as well as those at Jackson Pathways.
“This was a hoax call made by an unknown Google Number,” Beal wrote in a message to parents. “We understand that this phone call has been sent to other schools across Michigan this morning.”
Chrystal Wilson, the Assistant Superintendent of Communications for Detroit Public Schools Community District, told WWJ that Detroit Renaissance also received a false report of shots fired at the school on Tuesday morning.
The school was evacuated and searched, but nothing was found and school has resumed for staff and students, Wilson stated.
Both the Oakland County and Macomb County Sheriff's Office said there were no threats made to schools in those regions at this time.
MSP urged parents to remind their children that reporting false threats against any school or business is a serious crime.
"Usually, after a large incident like this we get copy cat calls for days following the incident. While some may consider it a joke, it is a good way to ruin your life if convicted of a false threat of terrorism," MSP said of the swatting incidents.
Attorney General Dana Nessel spoke out against the false reports on Tuesday afternoon and remined the public of the punishment waiting for those who make threats of any kind -- real or fake,
“Threats of violence in our schools disrupt the classroom, tax our local law enforcement agencies and harm our students’ sense of safety,” said Nessel. “Whether these are real threats made by those intent on doing harm or pranks made by kids trying to get a day off, they are real crimes with real consequences. It’s critical that adults and students alike understand the seriousness of these threats and the criminal charges they could face.”
Nessel added the the potential charges one could face if they make a threat of violence include:
• Communicating a threat of terrorism, 20-year felony
• Calling in a bomb threat, a four-year felony
• Malicious use of a telecommunications device, a six-month misdemeanor
• Threatening violence against school employee or student, a one-year misdemeanor
Additionally, swatting could result in the following charges:
• False report of a crime, a 93-day misdemeanor
• False report resulting in physical injury, a 5-year felony
• False report resulting in a serious bodily impairment, a 10-year felony
• False report resulting in a death, a 15-year felony
In addition to serving time in jail or prison, those that are found guilty of these crimes can face fines of up to $50,000.00.