GLEN DALE - Several juvenile suspects are expected to be charged today with alleged threats made Monday toward John Marshall High School and Sherrard Elementary School.
Marshall County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Kevin Cecil said he expects charges to be filed against the juvenile suspects accused of writing a threatening note found in a John Marshall classroom on Monday afternoon. The note threatened the high school, as well as Sherrard.
Cecil would not divulge the contents of the note.
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John Marshall High School Principal Corey Murphy, seated, and Assistant Principal Rob Wilson, rear, review evidence with Marshall County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Kevin Cecil, center, and West Virginia State Police Sgt. Tom Wood after threats were made toward John Marshall High School and Sherrard Elementary School Monday afternoon.
He also could not say how many suspects investigators have, but added that those he expects to be charged could be facing terroristic threats and obstruction of school charges.
The school threat in Marshall County comes four days after police in Weirton foiled an apparent bomb plot at Weir High School. Two Weir students - 19-year-olds Mark Mentzer and Josh Little - have been arrested in that case.
On Monday, law enforcement from the Marshall County Sheriff's Department, Glen Dale Police Department and the West Virginia State Police responded to the schools shortly before 3:30 p.m. after Marshall County 911 received a call reporting the note. After evacuating the schools, investigators did several sweeps of all facilities, in which nothing was found and the schools were deemed safe.
For nearly two hours, investigators remained on scene reviewing surveillance video of the school and conducting interviews.
John Marshall High School Principal Corey Murphy said students were already dismissing for the day when the note was found.
"We very quickly evacuated the building," Murphy said. "We just can't take any chances with threats like this."
Superintendent Fred Renzella said parents were notified immediately of the evacuations through ParentLink, which automatically sends important school messages to e-mails, cell phones and home phones. He said that situations such as this are not taken lightly and students need to be aware that serious threats result in serious consequences.
"These are not jokes and even though these kids are mentally immature, you cross the line when you make these threats," Renzella said.
He said the students involved will be recommended for expulsion.
Renzella and Marshall County Board of Education President Roger Lewicki were on the scene at John Marshall throughout the investigation. They praised the efforts of local law enforcement for their quick response.
"They commandeered all of the resources available," Renzella said. "They're willing to do everything it takes to keep the schools safe."
Cecil added that, although there are suspects, the investigation will continue.