Columbia Public Schools student arrested on suspicion of making threats

A student at Battle High School was arrested Tuesday night around 7:00 p.m. after making terroristic threats to other students.

Columbia Police Deputy Chief Gordon said that there was probable cause to arrest the student on the charges after they allegedly made threats of violence against other students and the school. The student made the statement in person and through messaging.

“Once we were notified, we started our investigation like we would on any threat against a school,” said Gordon. “We’re not going to take any chances on these schools, period.”

ABC 17 News reached out to Columbia Public Schools on Tuesday afternoon about the possible threats.

“It has been thoroughly investigated by the school and law enforcement and there is absolutely no evidence to support it. It takes countless hours to investigate each version of the rumor. This one has been going for a bit,” Community Relations Director for CPS, Michelle Baumstark, told ABC 17 News on Tuesday, hours before the arrest was made.

Baumstark clarified Wednesday that she meant there was no evidence that the threat would be carried out, but there had been evidence the threat was made in some capacity.

“We do not believe there is anything that is going to happen on campus,” she said.

She referred ABC17 News to the letter superintendent Dr. Peter Stiepleman sent parents the other day, which you can read below in its entirety.

“We’re not joking around,” she said. “We did tell them that law enforcement would be taking them seriously and pursuing prosecution.”

Dear Parent or Guardian,

I am sending this letter in order to provide you with accurate information, to discourage rumors and to ask for your assistance. There have been rumors and chatter regarding a possible planned violent act at Battle High School – mostly in the form of a gun being brought to campus or a possible shooting. As with all threats, Columbia Public Schools and law enforcement have thoroughly investigated and have determined there is absolutely no evidence to support such rumors.

We take the safety and security of our schools and students very seriously. We will not tolerate threats of any nature, especially when they cause disruption to the school day and result in countless hours of work to determine their validity and secure the safety of students and staff.

The statements and rumors being spread verbally and on social media constitute terroristic threats and are subject to punishment according to Board of Education policy, which could include, but is not limited to, expulsion from the school district. Students need to be aware that law enforcement agencies are taking these threats very seriously and are pursuing prosecution even when such incidents are intended as pranks. Please make sure your child is aware of these ramifications and that he or she understands hoaxes and spreading rumors related to campus safety will not be tolerated.

We need to come together as a community of students, parents and school personnel to avoid such disruptions to learning. I urge you to talk to your children now and impress upon them the seriousness of threats in today’s society. Ask them to notify you or the school should they hear of any planned or potential disruptive behavior. We want everyone to feel safe at school, so there will be additional safety personnel on-hand for the last day and a half of school.

The safety of our students and staff is our number one priority, and we will continue to be vigilant. Please feel free to call my office or the school directly should you have any questions or comments.

I appreciate your continued support of a safe learning environment for our students.

Sincerely,

Peter Stiepleman

Superintendent

Columbia Public Schools

The Columbia Police Department told ABC 17 News that there will still be security at the school through the end of the school year, but not as much as it was planning before the arrest was made.