Update: Student charged for making bogus threats
MARCELLUS --
A student at Marcellus High School was charged after a bogus threat forced the school to lockdown for three hours Wednesday morning.
Investigators say 17-year-old Jacob Downing faces felony charges after making a call from his cell phone to the school and telling 911 that a student with a gun was going to kill students. Detectives say the teen later texted a threat about a bomb.
The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office says an anonymous caller, later identified as Downing, contacted 911 around 8:18 a.m. and told police that a specific student had brought a gun to school and planned to harm other students at Marcellus High School.
Marcellus Police responded and school officials implemented the school’s lock down procedures, according to the Sheriff’s Office. During the lockdown, students and staff were instructed to remain inside the classrooms with the doors locked.
The Sheriff’s Office says deputies, and state and local police, searched the school for the student. They discovered that the student accused of making a threat was not in school; he had showed up at school but felt ill and was release to a parent.
Officials located the student at his home in Marcellus. When questioned, the student said he had knowledge of the call to 911.
During the lockdown, the Sheriff’s Office says a second anonymous call reported that the same student had planted a bomb in the school.
Additional non-specific bomb threat procedures were implemented, including notifying officials at K.C. Heffernan Elementary and C.S. Driver Middle schools.
The Sheriff’s Office and State Police K-9’s searched and cleared the high school’s common areas, then moved the students to those areas while they searched the school room by room.
Officials say no suspicious objects were found. The lockdown was lifted at 11:12 a.m. and students returned to classes.
Law enforcement and school officials are investigating the threats. They say both threats were unsubstantiated.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Craig J. Tice, says the Marcellus Central School District will prosecute to the fullest extent possible.
"The district takes any threat seriously and has policies in place to safeguard the health and safety of its students and school personnel," Dr. Tice said in a release. "We understand today’s events were stressful and appreciate the patience shown by parents, as well as the willingness of students and staff to follow the necessary safety protocols."
Downing is charged with two counts of falsely reporting of an incident. He was scheduled to appear in the Town of Marcellus Court at approximately 5:00pm for arraignment.
