After the Riley County Police Department addressed a threat posted to Snapchat concerning Manhattan High School Wednesday morning, another threat was directed MHS later in the day
According to a press release from the department, RCPD received a social media message directed at their accounts just after 11:30 a.m. that included a picture of someone pulling a gun from a backpack and a second picture with the caption “Don’t come to school tomorrow.” As the pictures were tweeted specifically to RCPD accounts and contained the same wording as the original threat, it was determined this was an intentional threat intended to scare students and faculty at Manhattan High West campus.
Follow-up investigation was able to quickly determine that the message was sent from a 17-year-old female who used to be a student at MHS, but currently lives out of state. Authorities do not believe this to be a valid threat. However, RCPD made Manhattan High West campus aware of the situation. It was mutually determined that no additional response was needed at this time.
The investigation into this threat continues, and the RCPD said it has enlisted the aid of outside agencies to make contact with the suspect. Additionally, a criminal threat case has been filed by the department.
Copy cat activities are often seen in these types of events, authorities said. RCPD officials said they remain vigilant against any threat made to any members of the community, and especially school students and staff. Additional copy cat threats will not be reported to the public unless the threats are deemed to put students or staff in immediate danger of harm.
The second threat is similar to the first.
According to the RCPD, officers were made aware of a threat posted to Snapchat on Tuesday night at approximately 7:55 p.m. A 17 year-old-male student at MHS saw a story posted to a 15-year-old male’s Snapchat account that caused him alarm. The picture in question had what appeared to be two handguns with a caption of “wild” with three skull emojis, and additional text stating “Don’t go to school tomorrow.”
Follow-up investigation conducted by RCPD’s investigation division located two BB guns at the residence of the 15-year-old suspect. Those BB guns have been taken into evidence. RCPD has filed a report for aggravated criminal threat. The investigation is ongoing.
Manhattan High West Campus gave students the option to stay home from school if they, or their parents, so desired.
Authorities said they were thankful to the individual who reported the image.
“In an era of multiple school shootings each year, Riley County Police Department takes all communications about harming students or faculty seriously,” the department said in an earlier press release. “If you or someone you known comes across these types of communications, please alert us so we can work to make Manhattan and Riley County safe.”
