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ST. GEORGE — Police arrested a juvenile after he allegedly sent a text regarding a school shooting at Snow Canyon Middle School.
There will be an increase in police presence at schools in the area today, St. George police said in a Facebook post.
On Tuesday, a school resource officer investigated a text message thread that was sent to several people regarding a possible school shooting that was supposedly happening Wednesday, police said. The officer was able to identify the person who sent the text.
Police interviewed the student and his parents and then arrested the student. He was taken to a juvenile detention facility and was not identified.
Administrators at the school, as well as Washington County School District administrators, were aware of the investigation.
The student apparently thought sending the text might be funny, but school officials take all such messages very seriously, Washington County School District Spokesman Steven Dunham said.
“We want students to understand that there is nothing funny about this, that there will be punishments, and they will be severe," he said.
There is no danger to students as of Wednesday, he added. School officials encourage parents to talk with kids and help them understand that there are severe consequences in situations like these, Dunham said.
Anyone with concerns is encouraged to reach out to law enforcement or school administrators, police said in the post. St. George police can be reached at 435-627-4300.
