By NATE KING
Salina Post
The Salina Police Department (SPD) investigated an alleged threat against Salina Central High School after a threatening message was sent to the school's social media page on Tuesday night.
According to SPD Cpt. James Feldman, the message was sent to the school's page at approximately 9 p.m.
"The threat, which was sent via Instagram, claimed that an individual would 'shoot up the school' on Wednesday morning around 10 a.m.," Feldman said.
Feldman said USD 305 officials immediately contacted the school resource officer and SPD to investigate. SPD launched an investigation, working through the night with Instagram and Google's assistance to trace the origin of the threat.
The message was tracked to Ravenna, Ohio, a town south of Cleveland. Wednesday morning, Ravenna Police Department officers were able to identify and take the suspect, who is a minor, into custody.
Feldman said the suspect is a high school student previously involved in a relationship with a Salina Central student. The suspect allegedly made the threat after the couple broke up.
To ensure the safety of students and staff, additional officers were deployed at Salina Central on Monday morning. According to the SPD, two patrol officers were stationed at the school alongside the School Resource Officer, who normally provides security for both Central High and other schools in the district.
Ravenna Police Department detective Dustin Svab told Salina Post that the 15-year-old subject was arrested at his home in Ravenna at 6 a.m. this morning. Svab said the 15-year-old is a lifelong Ohio resident.