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KEARNS — A Kearns High School student is facing charges after the school was locked down for a short time Thursday morning following a threat from the student over social media.
The 17-year-old student was not at the school at the time of the threat, but the campus was put under a soft lockdown as a safety precaution, according to the Granite School District. A soft lockdown means students are allowed to move about within the school, but no one is allowed in or out of the building.
Since the school was in the middle of a lockdown drill when the threat was made, the drill was transitioned to a lockdown, according to district officials.
Police said they were tipped off by a phone call from Washington during which the caller notified them of a threat on the student's Facebook page.
This is in no way, shape or form a joke, to make a threat to blow up a school. You will be charged.
–Lt. Justin Hoyal, UPD
The student was taken into custody, and "any potential safety concerns were alleviated at that time," according to the district.
"We are appreciative of the quick efforts by law enforcement and administrators in addressing student safety," a post on the district's Facebook page said.
Lt. Justin Hoyal with the Unified Police Department said the student will face charges.
"In speaking with the student, he said it was just a big joke, a hoax, but this student is now facing very serious charges," he said. "This is in no way, shape or form a joke, to make a threat to blow up a school. You will be charged."
The charges could include felony counts of making a terroristic threat, according to police.
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