Indiana

Danville, Plainfield schools close amid 'less than credible' threats posted on social media

Andrew Skudder/Flickr/Creative Commons

MIAMI (AP) — The latest news on “less-than-credible” threats sent to school districts around the country Wednesday night. All times local:

8:30 a.m.

Two central Indiana school districts canceled Thursday’s classes after officials said threats were made against their schools.

Danville Community School Corporation canceled classes following alleged threats, including threats from two students who’ve been arrested.

The nearby Plainfield Community School Corporation just west of Indianapolis also canceled classes due to a threat “directed to the high school.”

Danville Police Chief William Wright says a 14-year-old freshman and a 17-year-old senior were arrested early Thursday after the boys allegedly made threats against Danville schools in separate incidents.

Wright says a third threat posted on social media early Thursday and apparently “tied to the Plainfield School Corporation threat” had prompted Danville schools to cancel its classes.

Danville Community School Corporation Superintendent Tracey Shafer says the individual making the threats against Danville schools may have also threatened Plainfield schools.

7:30 a.m.

The Dallas Independent School District received a similar threat to the ones sent to Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Houston school officials on Wednesday night.

The district announced on its website that schools were opening Thursday after an emailed threat sent to several school district staff and teachers at Pinkston High School and Martinez Elementary School was deemed non-credible. The emails were sent Wednesday night.

District officials were immediately notified and the school system’s police department activated its emergency protocol. They’re working with law enforcement agencies to make sure students are safe.

Schools in South Florida and Houston also opened Thursday with extra security on hand.

Officials say the emails are similar to ones received earlier in the week in Los Angeles and New York City.

7 a.m.

School officials in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Houston say they’re beefing up security on campuses after receiving threats similar to the ones received by the Los Angeles and New York school districts earlier this week.

The Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Houston Independent School District announced on their websites that “less-than-credible” threats were received late Wednesday evening. Both school districts plan to open as usual Thursday.

In Miami, school district police immediately contacted law enforcement agencies and decided to open schools.

In Houston, officials said law enforcement officers were making sweeps of school district buildings to ensure student safety. They encouraged parents and students to be vigilant Thursday morning and report any suspicious activity to police.

In a tweet sent Thursday morning, Broward County Public Schools in South Florida also said a threat had been received, but students should report to school as usual.

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