INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - MSD Warren Township Schools messaged parents Friday that police had identified the person responsible for threats of violence made against a school
Police have arrested a juvenile female in connection with the social media-based threats.
"Someone was going to shoot up the school, it was on Instagram," a student told us.
"He texted that him and other people were going to come in," another student said.
Another student familiar with the posts said they threatened violence in the high school or at a Friday night football game.
"A lot of people have been saying it was fake though," said the student. "And that the guy in the photo is dead and the guy texting the message isn't even in Indiana."
Turns out the alleged suspect lives in a subdivision a few miles east of campus. The girl is under arrest awaiting formal charges. Police say she confessed to making the threats and that they have seized electronic evidence.
The male whose photo appeared on social media had nothing to do with the case, investigators said.
"It is important that you, our families, know that at no time was this deemed a credible threat and the safety of your children was the top priority in how this situation was handled," read a message sent by the school district.
"I don't know what is wrong with people," said Mariah Thompson as she headed to the football game. Mariah said she hopes the arrest keeps others from making such threats.
She was concerned.
"I know a lot of these teachers and people here, they're like my family."
She found plenty of security at tonight's game, from school police to sheriff’s deputies and IMPD.
"She shouldn't have done that but if they found the right person she deserves what she gets," said a district parent and fan in the stands.
Other parents expressed relief at word of an arrest.
"Absolutely. As a parent that’s your first concern, where your kids are, who's around them and the security measures," said Maria Hermosilla.
Warren Central grad and former football player David Cooks wonders what's behind the alleged threats.
"I wouldn't say it's the parents," says Cooks. "I don't know if she was bullied or anything. Sometimes people don't know what is going on to somebody else."
The teen was taken to the juvenile center. It's up to the prosecutor to decide on any formal charges.