FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — A modified lockdown has been lifted at Franklin Area High School after a reported social media threat.
According to Dr. Christina Cohlhepp, principal of Franklin Area Jr./Sr. High School, a student is in the custody of state police. While it’s unclear if there are any charges pending, Colhepp says school administrators will take appropriate disciplinary action. The lockdown was lifted around noon.
School officials became aware of a social media post in which the student had threatened to bring a weapon to campus.
Cohlhepp noted that the student who made the threat was not in attendance at the school today.
Parents received a follow-up RoboCall letting them know that the situation had been resolved:
“This call is to notify you that the modified lockdown at the Jr./Sr. High school has been lifted and we have resumed normal operations. PA State police have met with the student who reportedly made the online threat and are taking appropriate actions against the individual.
It is not believed that there was ever any immediate danger to the safety or wellbeing of our students or staff. We decided to engage in the modified lockdown out of an abundance of precaution. We Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure the safety of all.”
What Happened Earlier
After receiving the report of the threat, the school contacted police and went on a modified lockdown.
“A modified lockdown means that we will continue classes and movement within the building as usual, but will not allow any individuals to enter or exit the building,” Cohlhepp told exploreVenango.com.
She stressed that parents should not come to the school to attempt to pick up their children, as they will not be permitted to enter the building, and students will not be permitted to leave.
“Everyone is safe, this is just a precautionary measure,’ Cohlhepp noted.
“We are just waiting for police to investigate the threat, and making sure there is no movement in or out of building to keep everyone safe and secure.”
A notice went out to parents by phone a short time ago, notifying them of the lockdown situation.
“We do not believe that there is any immediate danger to the safety or wellbeing of our staff or students. We are taking this action out of an abundance of precaution. A follow up robocall will be made when more information is made available. Thank you for your patience as we work to ensure the safety of all,” the call stated.
A representative of the Franklin-based State Police confirmed they are investigating the incident.
