An unnamed Kansas City teenager has been charged with making a terroristic threat after sending a Snapchat message about a shooting to take place during lunch at Park Hill High School last week.
According to court documents, a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Park Hill High School was notified by a school administrator of a possible shooting threat at Park Hill High School on Thursday, Oct. 22.
The administrator informed the SRO that a student had informed him that there would be a shooting at the school during 8th period lunch, which is at 1 p.m. The student identified the person from whom they had received the message, and the school administrator contacted the SRO.
The school administrator also provided a photograph of the Snapchat message indicating the school getting shot up. When contacted by another school administrator, the teenager said he was just joking with his friends and there was not a threat to the school.
“Any threat to a school, whether real or in jest is a serious matter,” said sheriff Mark Owen. “Students, parents, and the community can be assured that this type of behavior is always taken seriously and can constitute a crime. Once again, the close working relationship between the Park Hill School District and law enforcement has worked to ensure the safety of our students and school staff. I applaud the Park Hill High School administrators and school district staff for their response to this incident. I also applaud the student who reported the incident to school administrators. The student did the right thing and students should always report any safety concern to the SRO, school administrators or staff. I also encourage parents to have conversations with their students about the seriousness of school safety and the importance of immediately reporting any concern.”
Platte County prosecutor Eric Zahnd also says the accusations are no laughing matter.
“We are long past the day that anyone can ‘joke’ about shooting up a school. Those kinds of statements – even when allegedly made in jest – can be seriously disturbing and disruptive to schools and can constitute a crime,” Zahnd said. “Ever since that sad day in 1999 in Columbine, we have repeatedly told our children to report any threat of school violence to school officials, police, or their parents. Thankfully, the student who reported this threat to the school administrator did the right thing.”
The case is being investigated by the Platte County Sheriff’s Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Amanda Hanson.