Nov 09, 2023

Sheriff investigating alleged social media threat at Kan. high school

Posted Nov 09, 2023 5:57 PM

By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 306 officials are investigating an alleged school threat.

Just before 12:30a.m. Thursday, the Southeast of Saline High School students alerted the school resource officer about some alarming Snapchat messages from another possible student.

According to Saline County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Sean Kochanowski, the messages included threats of violence through the use of firearms planned for Thursday, Nov. 9.

Kochanowski said some of the language used in the messages included threats to "shoot people up" at the school, alarming parents and students.

This morning, sheriff's office deputies stood guard outside Southeast of Saline High School, with Kochanowski vigilant at the entrance.

"I was out there — I know there was a highway patrol, and there were, I think, two other sheriff deputies in the parking lot," Kochanowski said. "There's another officer that's going to be at the school for a while today. Just providing extra security to make sure we have people in the building do everything we can to keep everybody safe."

Ell-Saline High School was notified of the violent threats, and faculty informed parents and students about the possible danger. Kochanowski said the Saline County Sheriff's Office also sent some deputies there.

Kochanowski said the sheriff's office is actively investigating the incident, but the office suspects the perpetrator is of high school age.