Within minutes of a Franklin Community High School student posting a comment on social media about a notorious school shooting, fellow students started telling their coaches, teachers and even the superintendent.
Police and school officials tracked down the student who made the comment on Twitter late Thursday night, learned where he had moved and were interviewing the sophomore and his parent within hours.
The student was not arrested because the post did not name students or intended victims, give locations or reference any type of planned threat, Franklin police deputy chief Chris Tennell said.
The teen told police he did not intend to harm or scare anyone, but that he had become upset and concerned about recent changes in his life, Tennell said.
Police searched the property, and the boy did not have any weapons. He was released to his parent, Tennell said.
Students and others who saw the tweet perceived it as a threat and were right to contact authorities, Tennell and Superintendent David Clendening said. School officials are praising the students who alerted authorities.
The incident began before 11 p.m. Thursday, and within four hours, police and school officials had resolved the situation and were communicating with the public and parents about what had happened.
“We all worked together, collaboratively, doing our jobs,” Clendening said.
The student was barred from all Franklin school property. School officials will continue investigating to determine whether the teen can return next school year, Clendening said.
As a precaution, police sent extra officers to patrol Franklin schools until classes end Tuesday.
In December, Franklin schools closed early for the holiday break due to a threat.
