The Kalispell Police Department received several reports of threats online of shootings that would take place at Glacier and Flathead high schools on Dec. 21. Reports started coming in at 6 a.m. on Dec. 16.
KPD and the school administrations collaborated to find out who was behind the comments being disseminated on Facebook, and disciplinary action has already been taken against “those responsible for creating and fostering a dialogue which has created fear and anxiety in our school community,” according to a press release from Kalispell Police Chief Roger Nasset.
“The rumors and comments appear to be without merit, and are prompted by the tragic events in Connecticut on Dec. 14, 2012 and the unwarranted sensationalism of Friday, Dec. 21, 2012,” Nasset wrote.
According to School Resource Officer Jason Parce, the comments were made on Facebook by a high school student, and the conversation picked up steam. It was intended to cause fear, Parce said, and it worked.
“When we became aware of the rumors, we basically had every patrol officer that was available and even some of the detectives did walk-throughs of the schools (Monday) morning,” Parce said.
There will be extra police presence in both high schools throughout the week, he added, and especially on Friday. Parce said parents should be aware that KPD knows about the situation and that school is “still the safest place for their kids to be.”
“We are aware of all of it, and all the schools and law enforcement are being extra vigilant this week,” Parce said.
Nasset said KPD and Kalispell Public Schools take every threat to the safety of the Flathead community and its children very seriously, and those responsible for disrupting schools and the peace in this community with violent dialogue will be held accountable at “the appropriate level consistent with school policy and state law.”
KPD asks that anyone who hears or reads disturbing comments about violence or crime to contact the police department at 758-7780, or in the event of an emergency, 911.