FERNDALE (WWJ) -- A 16-year-old girl has been arrested after making social media threats against students on Sunday night, leaving both Ferndale High School and Middle School closed on Monday while police investigated.
Administrators announced the closure on Sunday night, after being alerted to an anonymous threat posted on Instagram. Police said in a press release late Monday afternoon the Ferndale High student had been arrested.
Officials said the schools will reopen on Tuesday with an increased police presence in place.
The suspect will be housed at Oakland County Children’s Village pending review from the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office.
“We take threats of violence against our community and students incredibly seriously,” said Ferndale Police Captain David Spellman. “In this case, we feel confident that the threat has been neutralized and the suspect poses no ongoing danger to the community.”
The alleged threat claimed the user intended to bring three loaded guns to school. Reports also say the post included a hitlist of students, according to WXYZ. Police officials did not release any specific details regarding the content of the threats.
School officials decided to close the schools Monday to keep students, teachers and staff safe, while giving police time to determine whether or not the threat is credible.
"To our student body I want to be very clear. Making threats against an individual or our school family, is not only unacceptable, but also a felony in the State of Michigan that is punishable by up to 20 years in jail. If you are considering making a threat on social media, don't," Superintendent Bobbie Hayes Goodrum wrote in a letter, according to WXYZ.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard echoed those sentiments in a video posted to Facebook on Monday, saying every threat will be investigated and sent to the prosecutor's office.
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