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TEXT THREATS "MEANT TO SCARE" AT CALHOUN MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL - "People Were Going To Die" Message Sent, School Goes To Lock-Down, Says Propst |
| (10/17/2009) |
 By Bob Weaver Police responded to Calhoun Middle-High School yesterday after threats were made by one or more students using My Space texting. Chief Deputy Sheriff Carl Ballengee told the Herald that the message indicated "a shooting would happen if apologies were not made ... people were going to die." Superintendent Roger Propst said administrators at the school were advised of the threats made against students, and that the school went into a lock-down and authorities notified. Sheriff Allen Parsons said, after investigation, the threats appeared not to be issued with intent to do bodily harm, indicating the postings were "set up for a practical joke or to be a scare." "Law enforcement and the school addressed the situation as a serious matter throughout the day," Parsons said. Reports indicate the "instant message" containing the threat was received by a female student. whose mother apparently notified the school. Superintendent Propst said the investigation determined the origin of the threats to not be from outside the school, although there was a reported use of the photograph of an adult male linked with the My Space entry. The threat statement was reportedly concocted around an on-going feud between two students, a situation that reportedly started last summer. Sheriff Parsons, Chief Deputy Carl Ballengee, and Deputy Jeff Starcher responded to the incident at 9:30 a.m., remaining at the school all day. Authorities are looking into the incident, related to filing charges. "Normal school activities were carried out during the day, the only disruption being the locked doors to the outside," said Propst. "The administration of Calhoun County Schools would like to thank the staff, students, and law enforcement for their cooperation and assistance," Propst said. "The safety of students and staff is always the top priority of our school system," he concluded. CALHOUN SCHOOLS PRESS RELEASE: Superintendent Roger Propst Today, administrators at Calhoun Middle/High School were advised of threats made against students. The origin of these threats was a transcript of an online My Space conversation between a student and an unknown person that occurred on the student's home computer. Upon learning of this possible threat the school was locked down and the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department and the West Virginia State Police notified. Sheriff's Department personnel remained at the school the entire day. Normal school activities were carried out during the day, the only disruption being the locked doors to the outside. The investigation of the incident determined the origin of the threats to not be from outside the school at which time the security level was returned to normal. The administration of Calhoun County Schools would like to thank the staff, students, and law enforcement for their cooperation and assistance. The safety of students and staff is always the top priority of our school system. Roger D. Propst Superintendent of Schools
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