Police investigate online threat made to local elementary school

PITTSBURGH — Police said they're investigating a threat made to a local elementary school.

Channel 11's Vince Sims reported that a threat to Schaffer Elementary School was found on Facebook. The superintendent of Woodland Hills School District said administrators were made aware of the threat Monday night.

Alan Johnson said two sixth grade students from Shaffer Elementary School were on Facebook and in a conversation they talked about a "non-specific" threat in the building. According to police the students discussed weapons and possibly killing someone.

Johnson said since they were talking about the school administrators took action and notified Churchill Borough Police.

“By all means we take any and all threats seriously, especially when it involves our kids,” Rankin Police Chief Ryan Wooten said. “We pulled all of our resources together and we checked the school and students with negative results.”

Police met with the boys Tuesday morning and took them into custody. It was not clear if any charges would be filed. Both students were suspended and school district officials said they will conduct their own investigation.

A school hearing will also be held to determine if any other disciplinary action should be taken, Johnson said.

Denise Eskelson said she has two children who attend Shaffer, and she didn’t know about the situation.

“I think Shaffer does a really good job. They have a buzzing system, and all of doors are locked. You can’t get in until the secretary buzzes you in,” Eskelson said. “We have a big bring your parents to school day on Friday, but it got canceled because of security concerns.”

WPXI