SOUTH LYON (WWJ) -- In only the second week of class, three Oakland County students are in trouble for allegedly making violent threats against their school.
Administrators in the South Lyon Community Schools District say a student posted on social media Monday night that they were going to shoot up South Lyon East High School.
One message read: “Guys imma shoot up the school tomorrow.”
Another student reported the comments to a teacher, who contacted police.
Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies met with the student and families involved and the student was banned from all school property in the district, officials said, in an email.
Further into the investigation, deputies discovered two more students posted similar comments. Those students were also removed from the school building, the district said.
No one was hurt.
It's not yet clear if the students will face criminal charges, although school officials say the situation is being taken seriously.
The complete letter sent to parents, sent by the superintendent and principal and obtained by WWJ Newsradio 950, reads as follows:
"Dear South Lyon East Community,
"The administrative team at South Lyon East received communication around 9:30 last evening about comments that were posted on social media. A student posted 'Guys imma shoot up the school tomorrow.'
"A student who observed the comments reported them to a teacher, who reported the information to East Administration. As is our protocol, our Director of Safety and Security and local law enforcement were contacted immediately. Officers from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) met with the students and families involved in the initial report and the student who made the threatening statement is not allowed on any South Lyon Community Schools property and was not allowed in the building this morning. Upon further investigation of this incident, it was discovered that two additional students posted similar comments, and those two students have since been removed from the building by the Sheriff’s department as well.
"As with any threat in our schools, we take them seriously, and in today’s climate, simply stating “I’m just kidding, I didn’t mean it, or it was a joke,” does not impact the seriousness of the situation, the expected law enforcement contact, nor the disciplinary referral process.
"We appreciate having law enforcement available to our schools, as the safety of our students and staff is a top priority. We also appreciate that the reporting student sought out a trusted adult to share this concern to support the student who made the comment, as well as to support the safety of others. We ask that if any students have information about a safety concern, they always inform administration or another trusted adult as soon as possible. Please help our school community by continuing to have these conversations with your children as well.
"Thank you.
Steve Archibald (Superintendent) and Karen Fisher (Principal)"
This comes less than a week since a deadly mass shooting in which four people were killed and nine more were wounded at a high school in Georgia. The alleged shooter, 14-year-old student Colt Gray, is facing murder charges, along with his father who allegedly bought him the AR 15-style rifle he used to shooting students and teachers.
Over the weekend, a 15-year-old girl in Monroe County was arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot up Whiteford Agricultural Schools in Whiteford Township.