The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office is putting out word to parents and children in the area that it takes any potential threat to a school seriously and will pursue criminal charges when applicable. Prosecutor Michael Sepic tells WSJM News in recent weeks there has been a rash of statements by students in some local schools amounting to potential threats of violence. The prosecutor’s office and police have investigated incidents at public school districts in Bridgman, St. Joseph, Watervliet, and Berrien Springs, along with at Andrews Academy in Berrien Springs. Sepic says in most cases, it was determined no threat was actually made. However, in the cases involving Watervliet Schools and Andrews Academy, a petition will be filed with the Berrien County Juvenile Court alleging threatening electronic communications. Sepic says it is unknown whether the cases will be accepted by the court. He adds in each case, law enforcement has taken considerable time and acted with great speed.
Below is the prosecutor’s full statement:
“In recent weeks, there have been several statements by students in some of our local schools amounting to a threat of violence. These cases were reported to local law enforcement. In each case, law enforcement has taken considerable time and with great speed to investigate, first to determine the imminence of a true threat of violence, then proceeding to gather evidence to forward to the Prosecutor’s Office to determine if the elements of criminal charges are met and if charges are appropriate given the particular circumstances.
Each of these incidents recently are very different, however, similar in that early on they create fear, caution and anxiety for students, parents, faculty, school administrators, law enforcement and the public. Let me assure you in every incident school officials and law enforcement have taken these events seriously with their primary purpose to keep our community safe.
All of these recent incidents involve minors. All the situations were found to be without a real basis to believe an actual act of violence was planned. They all appear to be minors saying words regarding school shootings in order to garner attention. Despite the lack of apparent ability or intent to do an act of violence, the law still prohibits making such threats or sending this type of threatening electronic communications.
In a Bridgman Schools incident from several months ago but reported recently, it appears students overheard a conversation regarding school shootings, but these facts do not meet the elements of our terrorism statute.
In a Berrien Springs Schools incident, students related to authorities a conversation they overheard regarding school shootings. However, the investigation disclosed some different versions of the same conversation.
Regarding an incident at St. Joseph Schools, one student posted a message attributable to another student on Snapchat, which was seen by some students who told others creating a significant amount of stress and anxiety. School officials and law enforcement determined there was no imminent threat and in fact no threat at all.
In the Bridgman, Berrien Springs and St. Joseph cases, no petition will be sought because the elements of some of the relevant criminal offenses are not met. The investigation of these incidents also make it appear there was no true threat of violence. School officials are taking appropriate action with regard to these students.
In a Watervliet Schools incident an electronic communication was received by one student from another which included pictures, which, if read and believed, would cause fear of an imminent assault. Law enforcement quickly determined the identity of the sender and that it was not a true threat.
At the Andrews Academy in Berrien Springs, a student sent electronic communications received by others, similar to the Watervliet incident, which, if read and believed, would have also caused fear of an imminent assault. Likewise, law enforcement quickly determined the identity of the sender and that it was not a true threat.
In both the Watervliet and Andrews Academy cases, a petition will be filed with the Berrien County Juvenile Court alleging threatening electronic communications. However, it is unknown whether the cases will be accepted by the court or whether they will he dealt with in a formal or informal manner, thus no further details will be disclosed at this time.
While this recent activity is likely a result of the news out of Florida, it is a good time for all: students, parents, faculty, and the public, to know that our school officials and law enforcement take these situations seriously and students will be dealt with to the extent possible in the criminal justice system.
On the one hand, it is extremely unfortunate that an idle, attention getting, foolish misstep could inject a minor into the criminal justice system. On the other hand, students and parents have to realize that when charges can be brought, they will be; to make sure the student does not have real thoughts of terrorism and to deter them and others from future similar conduct.
The police agencies from the above jurisdictions and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department investigated these incidents, in some cases with the assistance from the FBI and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department.”
