Student charged after school threat

A Delaware Hayes High School student has been charged with a felony count of inducing panic after threats caused officials to cancel classes Thursday.

Troy F. Ferguson, 18, of Delaware, was being treated Thursday at a secure medical facility for undisclosed reasons. An arrest warrant has been issued and will be served upon his release, said Delaware police Capt. Adam Moore.

School officials learned of the threats after school ended Wednesday when two students came forward to say Ferguson had made statements about causing harm to others.

The students “overheard four other students talking about a planned school shooting at the school” on Thursday, with one of them describing the shooting as a “bloodbath” and warning others “just don’t come to school tomorrow,” according to a criminal complaint filed in Delaware County Municipal Court. A school resource officer was told and reported the encounter to officials.

Delaware police investigated and determined that Ferguson was acting alone. He was arrested without incident at the home of an acquaintance.

According to the complaint, Ferguson held up a backpack in school and told a classmate, “I got it in here,” referring to a weapon.

Police eventually tracked Ferguson to a friend’s home on the first block of North Washington Street, where they encountered Ferguson in the basement.

He told officers the comments were not serious and that he was joking.

After a police dog indicated that drugs were inside Ferguson’s car, the vehicle was searched and narcotics were found along with a .22-caliber, semi-automatic handgun, an air-powered pistol, rope, a gas can and a wig and fake beard.

Moore credited the two students for coming forward, but he noted that “several other students who heard things did not come forward.”

“It’s concerning,” said Jennifer Ruhe, spokeswoman for Delaware City Schools. “We’re really appreciative and grateful to the students who came forward. That’s part of our safety plan and what we instill in our students.”

A district investigation will follow the police inquiry. Ruhe said Ferguson, who had friends and participated in sports and student activities, faces discipline up to expulsion.

“This was not a student I think most people were concerned about,” Ruhe said.