Two arrested in investigation of school threats

Ashdown High School has returned to its normal schedule after text messages threatening violence were sent to three students from an unidentified phone number and the school went on lockdown Monday, the superintendent said.

Two students were arrested for allegedly threatening violence toward the high school in the messages, Superintendent Jason Sanders said in a press release. The students who received the messages reported them immediately and police were called. Within a few hours, authorities had traced the messages’ origin and arrested the students.

The first statement regarding the lockdown was made about 12:30 p.m. Monday. Parents also received phone calls about 12:30 p.m., informing them of the lockdown.

School officials announced about 7:30 p.m. Monday that school will be in session as usual today.

“Students, faculty, parents and patrons need to know we will treat any threat as serious and act accordingly. Safety has to be our number one priority. We owe a debt of gratitude to those students who immediately came forward when they received the threats and to those county, city and state authorities who assisted in the investigation or in keeping the campus safe while the investigation was conducted,” Sanders said. “… School will return to normal today, but we will remain vigilant.”

Sanders said counselors were available at the school for any student who needs to talk about the incident.

The investigation is ongoing, Sanders said.