By Robert Tomlinson
News Director
THREE RIVERS — A school threat made over a social media service against Three Rivers Community Schools is causing it to close the district Thursday.
The school district announced late Wednesday evening the district would be closed due to what they called a “recent social media post,” and that the district “takes this information seriously.”
“The safety of our school community is important. We will be actively investigating the threat and will update if any further information is required,” the district’s statement continued.
The Three Rivers Police Department also announced Wednesday night they would be working with the school district in investigating the threat.
According to multiple screenshots from social media, the post in question was reportedly made on Snapchat by an unknown person that said, “All the ppl who go to tr middle and high school that place is getting lit up tmr,” followed by a water gun emoji and a flexing muscle emoji.
Three Rivers High School Principal Carrie Balk said in a statement on Facebook she was thankful for all the calls, Facebook messages, texts and emails she received Wednesday night alerting her to the threat.
“Like I told all students during class meetings the first week of school, we are ALL responsible for keeping our school safe,” Balk wrote. “Thank you to all of you who did the right thing and reached out to school officials immediately.”
The threat comes just a week after Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga. became the latest school to be involved in a school shooting. Four people were killed and nine more were injured. A 14-year-old, Colt Gray, was arrested and charged with four counts of murder, and his father Colin Gray was also charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder and cruelty to children due to allegedly allowing his son to possess a gun.
Robert Tomlinson can be reached at 279-7488 or robert@wilcoxnewspapers.com.
