NEENAH, Wis. (WFRV) – Officials with the Neenah Police Department and Neenah Joint School District provided a final update on the ongoing potential safety threat, stating that the suspect falsified the threats.
The student identified as the person who made the comments on social media, prompting a fully online learning day on Wednesday at Neenah Middle School , was arrested just under 15 hours after the initial reports.
While the threats were falsified with no intent to harm students, officials seek charges for terroristic threats, a felony.
The following is from Chief Aaron Olson:
“To our students: I want to be very clear. If you make threats toward other students, toward any school, or towards school staff, we will identify you, and we will take action. These threats are not a joke, even if they were fabricated with no intent to harm anyone, and they will not be tolerated. This incident is a clear example of our team’s dedication and the seriousness with which we approach school safety.
To the adults: There has been misinformation and speculation circulating on social media. I want to offer some perspective. This is real world policing, not television. Writing search warrants, executing those warrants, interviewing multiple individuals, and verifying information all takes time. These steps do not happen during a commercial break. They require careful, methodical work to ensure accuracy and safety.” – Neenah Police Chief Aaron Olson
District officials said that Neenah Middle School will open back up to in-person learning on Thursday. There will be extra police on campus and school counselors available for students who need to talk about what happened.
Neenah police officers said that Neenah Middle School was the only school in the district to have virtual learning on Wednesday because the student directed the alleged threats to only that school. Local 5 News heard from several families with students in other schools in the district who kept their students at home on Wednesday because of the threats at the middle school.
Officials say no additional updates will be given unless new information can be provided.
