A suspect has been identified after anonymous online threats closed Woodland Hills and Gateway high schools Wednesday.
The schools sent a total of more than 2,000 students home early in response to bomb threats made through the social media platform Snapchat.
Police determined that the threats were hoaxes, but authorities indicated that different people were responsible for each threat.
Woodland Hills Superintendent Daniel Castagna said in a Thursday statement online that a suspect has been identified in connection with the threats. He provided no details.
Monroeville police Chief Doug Cole said later Thursday they have ruled out Woodland Hills’ suspect as the person that made the threat to Gateway.
“We are continuing to investigate with new information,” Cole said.
Churchill police on Wednesday responded to the threat and helped evacuate the school, Castagna said.
“They led this investigation through the night and without their assistance, it would have taken weeks to get the information,” Castagna said. “This collaboration and commitment to ending this online behavior will continue and when necessary, will be pushed to the fullest extent of the law.”
Churchill police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The superintendent said online threats, bullying and harassment by kids and adults “has become too frequent of an occurrence” in recent years.
“These behaviors hold serious punishments so let us please use this unfortunate event as a teachable moment for all,” Castagna said.
