ST PAUL, Minn. — St. Paul police say a suspect is in custody in connection with social media threats that convinced two St. Paul charter schools to cancel class Thursday, and another to step up security.
In a post on X (Twitter), the St. Paul Police Department said that a juvenile has admitted to posting the threats but did not have the means or desire to carry out the threat, supporting the department's earlier statement that the threats were unfounded. SPPD added that investigators are trying to determine whether the suspect is the only one responsible for sharing the disturbing messages on social media.
HOPE Community Academy and Community School of Excellence both made the decision to cancel classes Thursday after being made aware of the messages the night before. Hmong College Prep Academy decided to remain open but with increased security.
A message was posted for HOPE Community Academy students and families on Facebook Wednesday night.
"We have been made aware of a shooting threat affecting several schools, including HOPE," the statement reads. "We want to assure you that we are taking this threat very seriously and have reported the threat to local law enforcement. To ensure the safety of all students and staff, we've decided to close the school tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 12."
St. Paul police said Wednesday night that investigators were working with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and St. Paul school security to check into the threats but deemed them non-credible.
"We are aware of the threats. Unfortunately, these types of messages have been showing up around the country today and just this evening the focus has turned towards schools here locally," said St. Paul police spokesperson Mike Ernster in an email to KARE 11. "Our investigators have been working with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Saint Paul School security. We do not believe these threats are credible at this time."
"We will continue to monitor and work with our law enforcement partners," Ernster added. "We are prepared to take steps, if needed, to make sure the children in our schools remain safe."
These developments come after a wave of threats against schools nationwide. The St. Paul Public School District (SPPS) posted a message on its website telling students and parents that the district has not canceled any classes as of Thursday morning as district officials do not believe the threats are credible.
The threats are circulating mainly on TikTok and Snapchat, and appear to have originated outside the area, according to SPPS officials.
Across the U.S., dozens of schools have reported fake online threats in the last 24 hours.