Teens taken into custody after Minnesota schools closed due to threats
Potential threats close MN school district
High schools in the Rosemount-Apple Valley- Eagan Public Schools District 196 were closed Tuesday morning due to "potential online threats."
BURNSVILLE, Minn. (FOX 9) - A 16-year-old has been arrested by Apple Valley police after threats were made against multiple south Twin Cities metro schools, leading to classes being canceled on Tuesday.
Teens arrested
Local perspective:
In an update Tuesday afternoon, Apple Valley police announced they had arrested a 16-year-old boy they believe is responsible for the threats made against District 196 schools.
In a release, police wrote: "Apple Valley Police Detectives have been working diligently to investigate a series of threats targeting multiple schools in Apple Valley and neighboring communities. This extensive investigation led to the execution of a search warrant in the City of Eagan. As a result, detectives have identified and arrested a 16 year-old male believed to be responsible for the threats."
Police say they found no weapons during the search of the teen's home. He is being held at the Dakota County Juvenile Detention Center awaiting formal charges.
Burnsville investigation:
Separately, Burnsville police announced they are questioning two juveniles related to the threats against Burnsville schools. Officers say the investigation into the threats in Burnsville is continuing, but there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public.
Police wrote in a statement:
"We thank our law enforcement partners, District 191 and 196, and our community for their cooperation and patience during this stressful day. We recognize that any threat involving children is deeply concerning, and we want to reassure the community that the Burnsville Police Department remains fully committed to the safety and well-being of all who live, work and learn in Burnsville."
Potential threats prompt school closures, early releases
What we know:
The Apple Valley Police Department said they were notified of "multiple concerning messages" posted online that mentioned possible harm to several high schools within Independent School District 196.
District officials announced they were closing high school campuses on Tuesday "out of an abundance of caution" while they continue to work with local law enforcement. Students who had already arrived at school on Tuesday morning were dismissed and transported home by bus.
"We are acting with safety as our first priority to cancel schools today to allow law enforcement to fully investigate this situation," the message from ISD 196 read.
High schools within the district include Apple Valley High School, Rosemount High School, Eagan High School, Eastview High School and School of Environmental Studies.
What we don't know:
Detectives are working to determine where the posts originated and who was involved. Police said the investigation includes tracing the online accounts used to spread the threats. The Eagan Police Department said the incident did not appear to have started in their city, and they are coordinating with other law enforcement agencies as part of the investigation.
Police have not disclosed the nature of the threats or how many messages were posted to social media. The situation remains under investigation.
ISD 191 cancels Burnsville HS classes, early dismissal for lower grades
Burnsville early dismissal:
ISD 191 announced that elementary and middle schools are closing early on Tuesday "as a precaution due to an online threat." Middle schools will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m., while elementary schools will be dismissed at 2:45 p.m.
Eagle Ridge and Nicollet middle schools were initially placed on a "hold" protocol, noting that all students were safe. Classes continued with "as limited movement as possible inside the school" before ultimately dismissing students early.
"Please note that all students and staff are safe. We are working closely with local police to investigate and will provide families with updates as soon as possible," the district said.
The district also canceled after-school activities and athletics.
High school classes canceled:
The latest dismissal comes as officials canceled classes for Burnsville High School and Burnsville Alternative High School on Tuesday morning.
In a post on social media, ISD 191 said that around 7:30 a.m., Burnsville police notified the district and high school administration that a "threatening message about BHS" had been posted online. Students had begun showing up to school, so officials put the school on a "hold" and students attended first period class. Students were then dismissed early.
"Student and staff safety is our top priority. We will continue to work with Burnsville police and keep families informed of any updates," the message from the district read. "We do have police on campus to support and help with safety dismissal procedures."
The district noted that the initial threatening messages were posted Monday night and mentioned neighboring high schools, but not Burnsville. The district has not shared further details about the threatening social media posts.
Other schools impacted:
Police said they are working closely with ISD 191 and are coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter.
Eastview High School investigated social media threats Monday
Dig deeper:
The district-wide closure came one day after Eastview High School alerted families to a concerning social media post suggesting a possible threat against the school. In two messages sent Monday, obtained by FOX 9, Eastview officials said they were working with Apple Valley Police Department to identify the source of the post but had been unable to find "specific, actionable, or confirming information" to support the claim.
Eastview High School remained open on Monday, and school officials urged families with safety concerns to contact Apple Valley Police Department or the school directly and not post it on social media.
"Do not contribute to the gossip or rumor by reposting or sharing the unconfirmed information," the message read.
What we know:
It's currently unknown if the threat Eastview was investigating on Monday is connected to Tuesday's closure.
FOX 9 has reached out to Eastview High School and District 196 for more information.
The Source: This story uses information from emails sent to school district families, press releases from police departments and social media posts.