EAST LANSING – East Lansing police and district officials are investigating an online threat made against East Lansing’s MacDonald Middle School, but the superintendent said classes will take place Monday, March 2, as scheduled with increased police presence.
An individual who does not attend East Lansing schools “stat(ed) an intention to ‘shoot up’ MacDonald Middle School on Monday” during a FaceTime call on Saturday, Feb. 28, with a number of East Lansing students, according to a letter sent to East Lansing Middle School families by Superintendent Dori Leyko.
“We have worked closely with ELPD throughout the day to share information and follow all available leads,” the letter, provided by a parent, said. “After carefully reviewing the information available to us in partnership with law enforcement, we have made the decision that MacDonald Middle School will be in session (Monday).”
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Leyko said East Lansing police will have an “increased presence” and will be patrolling the area during student arrival.
“We will remain in communication with law enforcement and will respond immediately if any new information arises,” Leyko’s letter said.
Officials were informed of the threat by a district family, according to Leyko. A student who was on the FaceTime call and heard the verbal threat told their parent, who called police and then notified district officials on Sunday by email.
Leyko said district officials spoke with the parent and several students who were on the call and determined that the person accused of making the threat does not attend East Lansing schools.
“We have contacted the administrators in the district where we believe the student attends,” Leyko wrote, “however, at this time we have not been able to confirm the identity of the individual.”
Leyko said the student who reported the threat should be commended.
“Their actions demonstrate the critical importance of speaking up when something feels concerning,” Leyko wrote.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: East Lansing middle school threatened. Classes to go on with police presence
Reporting by Dan Basso, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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