Police Questioning Suspect In Canada After School Threat In Upper Merion Township
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UPPER MERION TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) -- The Upper Merion Township Police says a person in Canada may be behind a Twitter threat that forced schools to close on Friday morning.
Upper Merion Police say a threat was made against the school district via Twitter on Thursday night. According to police, the threat referenced an individual coming to school on Friday with a handgun to commit acts of violence.
Superintendent John Toleno tweeted an update early Friday morning.
"Viking Nation, all schools and offices within the Upper Merion Area School District will Be closed today, Friday, January 18th due to a threat that was made against our district," said Superintendent Toleno. "Please know that the Upper Merion Police and FBI are working very hard to solve this case.#Safety."
Viking Nation, all schools and offices within the Upper Merion Area School District will Be closed today, Friday, January 18th due to a threat that was made against our district. Please know that the Upper Merion Police and FBI are working very hard to solve this case.#Safety
— Dr. John A. Toleno (@DrToleno) January 18, 2019
Federal and local authorities tracked the tweet to Montreal, Canada where a suspect is being questioned.
"This suspect is currently being questioned by Canadian authorities. Based on what we know so far, we believe he is the person responsible for the threatening tweet that was sent to Dr. Toleno's Twitter account," said Upper Merion Police on Friday night.
It's unknown at this time if the suspect has any connection to the Upper Merion Area School District or why the threat was made.
Authorities are continuing their investigation.