Investigation into threat at THS continues
The Tecumseh Police Department is continuing its investigation into a potential threat of violence against students and staff at Tecumseh High School after two anonymous phone calls were made to the school on Thursday, Sept. 11, tipping off administrators.“Since the initial complaint to the Department, the investigation has led to the apprehension of two Tecumseh High School students on juvenile pick up orders authorized by the Lenawee County Prosecutor’s Office,” wrote Tecumseh Chief of Police Troy Stern in a press release dated Tuesday, Sept. 16. Stern stressed in the press release that there is, “no remaining credible threat of violence targeting the Tecumseh High School.”The two students have only been identified as two 16-year-old high school students. Due to their status as minors, their names will not be immediately released by the police. Minors are afforded certain protections during a police investigation. After the two phone calls were received, the school was placed in a low-level lockdown where students were monitored between classes and throughout the day, and people coming to the school were personally escorted in. “The caller did not think that anything was planned for this particular day (9/11), but the caller just wanted the school to know due to the significance of the date,” wrote Supt. Kelly Coffin in an email to staff on Friday, Sept. 12.On the day the calls were made, one student identified to be involved with the situation was sent home. “Anytime we get a tip or some sort of threat to the administration, then we make a decision,” said Supt. Kelly Coffin. “We have learned to constantly assess each and every tip differently because of what we’ve learned from some of the tragedies.” A custodian had noticed a student acting oddly and asked Tecumseh High School Principal Griff Mills to see the student. “He [the custodian] knew something was not quite right and brought it to their attention immediately,” said Coffin. On Friday, another student was identified to be involved and was sent home as well. “As the investigation unfolded, we realized there was another student who was involved,” said Coffin. “We didn’t know that until Friday morning.”An alert was sent home Thursday about the low-level lockdown to high school parents. “At that time, I did not have the information I have today,” said Coffin, who added that the alert stated the school was on a lockdown and that there were rumors swirling about a potential threat.On Friday, the superintendent sent an email to staff and the media to get the latest information out to the community. On Saturday, Sept. 13, another recorded alert was made outlining the specifics of the timeline more clearly for families. “We’re always changing, always revising what makes the most sense depending on the type of information we are dealing with,” said Coffin. Once the school completed their investigation, already working with the Tecumseh Police Department, the findings were completely handed over to the police.“The Tecumseh Police Department immediately determined that the potential for this threat to be carried out did exist,” stated Stern in the press release. “The Department dedicated every available resource to the investigation and immediately contacted the Lenawee County Prosecutor’s Office for guidance.”The Tecumseh Police Department, with assistance from Clinton and Raisin Township Police Departments, executed two search warrants in the City of Tecumseh. Stern expects the investigation to take some time as evidence is sorted through.Stern and Coffin shared the same sentiments that the two students need help. “I am just so thankful that those people called in and that the custodian spoke up,” said Coffin. “It all happened in a way that we could piece it together very quickly.”The two students are currently suspended from Tecumseh High School pending board action.
Tecumseh Herald
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