BARNESVILLE, Minn. (KFGO) – Barnesville High School was one of the schools in the region that were hit Thursday by threatening messages. These calls were quickly determined to be hoaxes by authorities and there was no threat.
School Superintendent Jon Ellerbusch says police were notified immediately. The person suspected of sending the email threat was identified as a student and found in the school.
After questioning the student, it was determined he did not have the means to carry out the threat. He was released to the custody of his parents.
Charges are possible. The case was forwarded to the Clay County Attorney’s Office.
State laws prohibit the school from sharing detailed information, but Ellerbusch, in a message to parents, said the incident was resolved quickly with the “collaborative relationship” between the School District, the Barnesville Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Schools in Fargo, West Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Williston, Watford City, and Bismarck were also victims of the swatting, a practice where callers falsely claim that there’s an active shooter in a school.
