TAYLOR (WWJ) - Classes are cancelled Wednesday for students at multiple schools Downriver after a threatening post circulating on social media depicting a weapon came to the attention of school officials and law enforcement late last night.
Administrators said Taylor High School, Taylor Virtual Learning Academy and the Taylor Career and Technical Center are closed to allow the Taylor Police Department to conduct an investigation into the threatening messages reported to officials on Tuesday evening.
WWJ's Charlie Langton said the closures were prompted by a series of messages posted to social media along with the photo of an AK-47 style weapon.
The photos, provided by the Taylor Police Department, included a number of profane words and included the message, "ya'll better start praying to god cuz [sic] ya'll dying tmr [sic]."
"In an email to the parents of Taylor students, the Taylor schools authorities acknowledged that the threat is circulating on social media and says that the leadership team is now working with the Taylor Police Department and they thank the people who brought that threat to their attention," Langton reported.
School administrators said the district remains a "safe place for our students, teachers and staff to thrive."
Police are currently conducting an investigation into the incident following an alarming rise in social media posts and messages threatening violence at Metro Detroit schools in recent weeks.
Two separate messages led the arrest of two 16-year-old students from Ferndale Public Schools on Monday and Tuesday, while three Detroit schools, including Cornerstone's Lincoln-King High School off Grove Street reported online threats along with A.L. Holmes Academy of Blended Learning and Cass Tech.
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School officials across the Metro Detroit area say students who see or hearing anything concerning are encouraged to submit tips to a confidential line through the state’s Ok2Say app or website.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ LIVE for the latest updates.