Charges To Be Filed Against Student Who Made Hempfield High School Threats
Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter
HEMPFIELD (KDKA) - Officials at Hempfield Area High School say charges will be filed against a student after a social media threat surfaced Thursday.
In a letter from Hempfield Area High School Principal Kathleen Charlton, a student allegedly used social media to make a potential threat to the school.
According to the letter sent by Charlton, "A student used social media to communicate with friends a message which included a potential threat to the safety of students and staff in the high school."
Students reported that threat to the school after they just finished watching a program video and instructional tutorial on the new statewide anonymous tip line, Safe2Say. Safe2Say is based on strict principles of confidentiality to encourage reporting as a way to proactively counter the heartbreaking wave of school violence.
Message from Hempfield Area High School Principal Kathleen Charlton:
The Hempfield Area High School Administration was made aware of a situation which occurred today whereby a student used social media to communicate with friends a message which included a potential threat to the safety of students and staff in the high school. A number of students who received the message took immediate action to inform administration of the potential threat. Pennsylvania State Police were immediately contacted by Administration and quickly initiated an investigation. While it has been initially determined by the State Police the student had no intent to act upon the threats which were communicated, charges are being filed in order to proceed with an appropriate and proper means of addressing the actions of the student. Disciplinary action against the student has also been initiated by the District in order to address the safety of students in the school setting. We commend the students who received the message for reporting the information to adults immediately. The Hempfield Area School District will continue to take all such reports seriously and respond in a manner to provide a safe environment within the school setting.
According to the letter, students who received the message informed school administration who in turn contacted the Pennsylvania State Police. Charlton said that state police believe the student identified as the sender of the messages did not have the intent to act on the threat. Charges are being filed by state police against the student. The district will also take disciplinary action against the student, according to Charlton.
A senior at Hempfield Area High School talked exclusively with KDKA, but wanted to remain anonymous. The senior student said, "Hempfield Area is such a large school with so many students that it is hard for students to notice everything about one another."
When it comes to safety, the student said they do not feel safe at school.
"The threats make me feel unsafe, one time a widespread rumor was spread throughout the high school and most of my peers and I contacted our parents asking to leave school," said the student. "Threats are something that make everyone feel on edge and are taken seriously by the student body."
The principal says she is proud of the students that stepped up and informed officials.
"We commend the students who received the message for reporting the information to adults immediately," said Charlton.
For more information on Say Something, visit their website.
Stay With KDKA.com For More Details
