NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Charges could be possible for a 15-year-old girl who allegedly made threats to the Negaunee Public School District on social media Wednesday.
Around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Negaunee City Police Department received information from the FBI Detroit Field Office of a school shooting threat made by the girl on the Snapchat app that was flagged for content. The girl’s name will not be released due to her age, but police say she attends middle school at a neighboring district.
Negaunee’s superintendent Dan Skewis was immediately notified and all safety protocols were implemented, including closing the school for the day. Negaunee police made contact with the suspect and her father for further questioning. During the investigation, the girl admitted to making the threat but claimed it was meant to be a joke. The suspect’s father told police the 15-year-old has neither the ability or means to carry out such a threat.
The school district the girl attends was also notified as well as that district’s local police department, which enacted their own safety protocols.
Police say no credible threat has been established, and there is no danger to the public. The mere threat to commit an act of violence against a school or its employees or students is a felony punishable by 10 years in prison and-or a $20,000 fine.
The incident has been sent to the Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
N.I.C.E. Community Schools superintendent Bryan DeAugustine wrote on Facebook:
I wanted to give you a quick update on Negaunee’s closure today. Our local law enforcement system worked well and in conjunction with Negaunee’s administration. Negaunee reacted swiftly and erred on the side of caution. We were kept in the loop throughout. Local law enforcement contained the problem quickly. If there had ever been any question, we would have closed too. Times are strange and trying. Even so, I have great faith in our local law enforcement agencies and in our neighboring schools as well as our own. I’ll be in touch if any other pertinent information comes to light… To reiterate, we were kept in the loop throughout this morning’s incident. Our law enforcement agencies were on top of the issue and took action immediately. Our school district was not involved.
