GREAT FALLS — The Great Falls Police Department (GFPD) has released a statement responding to rumors that circulated via social media Sunday afternoon of a shooting threat in Great Falls Public Schools (GFPS).
The threat was rumored to be directed toward Great Falls High School (GFHS), however neither GFPD nor GFPS specified Sunday evening as to which school was allegedly targeted.
GFPD told MTN News around 6:30 p.m. Sunday the matter was “under control” and “resolved.” Officers advised to await the dissemination of an official statement, which was obtained by MTN News at 8:16 p.m.
“Saturday, May [11], 2019, we received report of possible threats, posted on social media, toward one of Great Falls’ schools,” the release stated. “We have identified the student who made the threats. The student, and the parents, are cooperating fully with our investigation.”
According to the release, “The student has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, and per GFPS procedure.”
The school day throughout GFPS will proceed as normal tomorrow, although an increased police presence can be expected, the release elaborated, “out of an abundance of caution.”
As articulated in the release, “Detectives, including School Resources Officers, immediately began an investigation that has lasted throughout the weekend, and is ongoing.”
Social media posts dispersed around 6 p.m. Sunday, swiftly escalating tensions within the community and triggering rumors as to the possibility of a shooting threat to GFHS. Action upon the threat was allegedly set to occur Monday.
“911 dispatchers are receiving numerous calls from the community seeking more information about this incident,” the statement from GFPD read. “Please refrain from calling 911 or the nonemergency number for information.”
GFPS echoed the sentiment of GFPD Sunday night in a social media post.
“The student has been suspended pending further investigation and the completion of a threat assessment,” GFPS wrote. “The student and the parents are cooperating fully with GFPS and GFPD. GFPS and GFPD will continue to investigate and monitor the individuals involved.”
Find the entire statement from the Great Falls Police Department as of Sunday evening attached below this article.
MTN News will continue to provide updated information on this story if and when it becomes available.
-Reported by Shannon Newth and Zach Schermele/MTN News
