Department investigates 3 threats in one week

Jennings Co. Schools

The North Vernon Police Department has investigated 3 school related threats in the last week. The lead investigator for all 3 incidents has been the department’s School Resource Officer. The summary of those events area as follows:

- 09/10 – North Vernon SRO was informed a 6th grader made a vague broad threat to the school body on a social media site. This threat referenced prior school shootings. The student was arrested and removed from the school.

- 09/10 – North Vernon SRO was informed that a 9th grader made a specific threat to two other students while in a classroom. This threat did not involve any of the other students or staff. The student was arrested and removed from the school.

- 09/16 – North Vernon SRO was informed that a 11th grader announced a vague broad threat over heard by other students while at the school. The student was arrested and removed from the school.

In all three incidents the suspect student was charged with Level 5 felony intimidation. No evidence suggests that any of these incidents were coordinated. There is no evidence that any of these events had prior planning or preparation. The North Vernon Police Department is aware of certain allegations stating that “ hit lists” and videos depicting animal cruelty were discovered related to one of the events. At this time, no evidence has been discovered nor provided to support these claims.

School Staff is aware of all the above incidents and school protocols were followed in each event. Suspension and or expulsion of students is the sole responsibility of the school corporation. All the above cases have been forwarded to the juvenile court for prosecution. All three suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

The North Vernon Police Department holds the safety of the students and staff at Jennings County School Corporation with the utmost importance. All threats are investigated thoroughly.