UPDATE: 3 Students Questioned In Apparent Connection With MSAD 54 Threats

UPDATE - 3/1/18-2:25 p.m.

According to a report from the Kennebec Journal, three boys have been questioned and at Skowhegan High School and later taken away by police in handcuffs after online threats caused disruptions at the school for two days.

The report says police arrived at the high school around 11:30 a.m. and after about 40 minutes, the boys, whose names have not been released because no charges have been filed as of yet, were led from the school in handcuffs and taken away by police.

Original story continues below

For the second straight day, an online threat has impacted schools in MSAD 54, which serves Canaan, Cornville, Mercer, Norridgewock, Skowhegan and Smithfield.

The threat made today (March 1) was in response to school officials cancelling classes on Wednesday (Feb. 28) because of a threatening post made late on Feb. 27.  The Feb. 27 post showed a weapon with the caption saying "Skowhegan, February 28, 2018 you're all DEAD."

While schools are not closed today, the district is in  "lock out," with police in front of the schools and all doors locked and no outside classes or recess being held.

Multiple people on social media have posted screenshots of the threat that was reportedly sent out to student Snapchat accounts today. Saying in part, "cancelling school makes me want to kill more."

On the MSAD 54 website, Superintendent Brent Colbry posted a message regarding the threat and the district's response.

Good morning,

We wanted to reach out to let you know that we were made aware of a threat just before the start of school this morning.  At that point in time many students were already on site.  As each school had a police presence, we immediately asked administrators to put each building into “Lock-out” and worked with local law enforcement to ensure that officers would be stationed in the front of schools for the duration of the day.  

With school in session we will be keeping all doors locked, minimizing traffic in the hallways, and we will not be having recess or any outside classes as a precaution.  Local Law enforcement will remain at the entrance of each building and is working on this with State and Federal officials.  Safety is our top priority and we understand that this an incredibly trying moment for our students, parents, staff and community.  We do believe the precautions we have taken are appropriate and that the schools are safe.  Law enforcement is on top of the matter and we will update you prior to our normal student dismissal time.

Thank you,

Brent Colbry
Superintendent of Schools