At least 2 St. Paul schools close after 'shooting threats' on social media

St. Paul school threats prompt police activity

Threats made online against several schools in St. Paul has led authorities to take a 12-year-old girl into custody that they believe might be responsible.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - "Shooting threats" on social media naming several Twin Cities schools have prompted at least two schools to cancel classes. Authorities say the threats are not believed to be credible, and a juvenile has since been taken into custody.

What we know

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension told FOX 9 its Minnesota Fusion Center has identified several posts within the last 48 hours "threatening gun violence at multiple schools throughout Minnesota."

St. Paul Public School officials also posted a notice on their website of posts circulating on social media naming schools in the Twin Cities and Minnesota alleging possible violence.

"St. Paul Public Schools takes every alleged threat seriously. We work closely with our local, state and national law enforcement partners to evaluate every threat. We do not believe that this threat is credible, and there is currently no danger to any SPPS campus. It is important to note that many of the messages being shared on social media are copied from posts outside the SPPS district," the message reads.

The St. Paul police said these messages have been appearing around the country, and investigators are working with the BCA and St. Paul school security to monitor the situation. However, police do not believe the threats are credible at this time.

"While surges in false threats often occur following real incidents of school violence and social media ‘challenges,’ no threat of violence to our schools can be discounted as a hoax. And, hoax or not, they can create real fear for families," a spokesperson with the BCA said.

The BCA is continuing to monitor the situation and are working with local law enforcement to help identify who is making these threats.

What's new?

St. Paul police said in an update around 12:20 p.m. on Thursday that a juvenile had admitted to posting the threats on social media and "did not have the means or desire to carry out the threat."

The juvenile is currently in custody, but police said they are uncertain if this was the only person posting the threats online.

The incident remains under investigation.

Schools closing

While authorities are investigating, at least two schools announced Wednesday night that classes would be canceled on Sept. 12 due to the threats.

Both Hope Community Academy and Community School of Excellence in St. Paul announced the closure after learning of a "shooting threat," which they say named several schools, including theirs.

"We want to assure you that we are taking this threat very seriously and have reported the threat to local law enforcements," the Hope Community Academy posted on Facebook. "To ensure the safety of all students and staff, we've decided to close the school tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 12."

"Community School of Excellence is aware of a shooting threat to a number of schools in St. Paul. Unfortunately, CSE is one of the schools listed," a post read on Facebook. "The police department is aware of this threat but they have no further information or guidance pending their own investigation. CSE takes all threats made to its school, students and staff seriously. To ensure the safety of all staff and students, CSE administration is closing the school for tomorrow."