LH High School student suspended following threat Monday

PEARCY — A Lake Hamilton High School student has been suspended from school after making “disturbing comments” toward the school and other students, according to a school official and a posting on the school district’s Facebook page on Thursday.

The school was made aware of a threat after school on Monday, and the administration and security staff immediately contacted the Garland County Sheriff’s Department, Superintendent Steve Anderson said Thursday.

The exact comments made by the student were not released Thursday.

Following an investigation, the student received disciplinary action from the school and will now face criminal charges, according to the Facebook post.

“Our school security team had law enforcement here within minutes of

the report,” Anderson said. “Parents of students involved were notified that evening and any others were notified the next morning.”

Anderson said the threat was reported by a student.

“The good news is we have great kids who have had good training that if you hear something, say something,” Anderson said. “We had a student do just that, and that began a quick investigation by our security staff which was then handed over to law enforcement for their investigation. Law enforcement have walked us through every step of the investigation.”

Anderson said the student has only been on campus once since the incident was reported Monday. The student was on campus for a brief period Tuesday morning for the investigation and was accompanied by parents, administrators and law enforcement.

The Facebook post said “recent events at schools in other states have heightened everyone’s concern for the safety of students. Each and every threat is taken seriously and is immediately reported to the appropriate authorities.”

The district encourages parents to talk with their students “about the seriousness of threats and the importance of reporting suspicious activities, threats or disturbing information to a trusted adult.”

“Students also need to be aware that law enforcement agencies are taking these threats very seriously and are pursuing prosecution even when such incidents are intended as pranks,” the post said.

The district asked that parents make their students aware of the ramifications of making threats, and that students understand that “hoaxes related to campus safety will not be tolerated.”

“The safety and security of our students and staff remains the number one priority of the Lake Hamilton School District,” the post said. “This is an ongoing investigation. The district will not be able to comment further at this time.”