Shooting threat made by Gresham High School student determined to be a hoax, police say
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A Gresham High School student has been referred to the Juvenile Department for criminal charges after creating social media posts that threatened a school shooting, according to Gresham police.
Authorities said the 15-year-old student had “posted multiple pictures and videos of guns, making threats about a school shooting” on Tuesday night that claimed the attack would take place the following day. However, officials have since clarified that these threats were a hoax.
These threats took place on the same night when the Gresham-Barlow School District held a community safety summit on Tuesday in part to rebuild trust with parents, students and staff after recent safety concerns.
The FBI and Gresham police officers identified the student and concluded the threats had been a hoax based on an “assessment of statements and evidence.”
“Although this hoax is concerning, the swift and thorough investigation demonstrates our commitment to the safety of our schools and students,” Gresham Police Chief Travis Gullberg said. "I want to thank those in the community who promptly brought the threat to our attention, so we could address it immediately.”
Officials encouraged anyone who receives information about a potential threat to immediately call 911.
Last week, the school district selected Ted Zehr as Gresham High School’s new interim principal. The previous principal, Erika Beddoe Whitlock, submitted her resignation, days before.
This comes after the student-run Gresham Student Union demonstrated a walkout earlier this month in protest of a previous threat involving an armed student at the high school on Friday, Sept. 20.
The district sent a letter out to parents Tuesday night after receiving reports of the threat.
"Dear Gresham High School Community,
Tonight, many reports from parents, students, staff and the community were relayed to the Gresham High School Administration, district officials, and police regarding a threat of a school shooting. The two reported social media posts included guns and a threat to harm others on October 30th.
With assistance from the FBI, the Gresham Police Department was able to identify and visit the home of the person responsible. Although a threat was made, the police investigation determined that it was not credible.
We want to thank all the community members that reported the threat to both administrators and Safe Oregon. We also want to thank the Gresham Police Department for their swift response to the report. Their work throughout the night was pivotal in resolving this concern as soon as possible."
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.