Franklin High School principal Dave Riegel talked to the two male students in question and interviewed other students, but nobody could substantiate who had made the threat, Elam said. A check of social media sites and interviews with parents couldn’t turn up any evidence either. Elam said at least one of the boys was then interrogated by the Franklin Police Department.
“As far as our current investigation into the alleged threats at the Franklin High School, this investigation is continuing,” Franklin Police Chief Russell Whitman said. “We have been in contact with the Warren County Prosecutor’s office and have followed up with School Resource Officers from other school districts and several other students from Franklin and the surrounding area in reference to the rumors.”
“As of today (Tuesday), there has been no credible evidence found that leads us to believe that our students or staff are in any danger,” Whitman said.
The district sent letters home with students, sent an automated One Call announcement, and sent an email to those that subscribe to the district’s e-letters last week, Elam said.
“Then Friday happened. Those shootings triggered a whole different set of responses in terms of other security measures,” Elam said. “We held a meeting on Sunday night with board members and administrators where we layed down some additional directives that we felt would make the schools more secure.”
“This had nothing to do with the two boys,” he said. “This was a reaction to Connecticut.”
“To be perfectly honest with you, I’m more worried about the propensity for a copy cat shooter right now,” Elam said. “We did enhance our security measures. And several Warren County superintendents met with the Warren County Sheriff to learn, not just now but in the future, how we can make our schools more secure.”
Friday’s afternoon Christmas assembly, featuring the high school’s choir and band, is scheduled to go on as planned, according to Elam.
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