RICHFIELD, Minn. — Richfield High School is closed Friday after administrators received a screenshot of a social media post showing a student wearing the school's gear and threatening the campus.
The school's principal sent an email to all students, staff and family members noting that administrators didn't think the threat was credible, but out of caution, the school would be closed and officers would be stationed at the school.
In a news release later in the morning, Richfield police said the 17-year-old student shown in the social media photo voluntarily went to Richfield PD with a parent and spoke to investigators. Police said the photo was taken in March with a replica firearm, and someone else had added a threatening caption and circulated the photo on social media.
Richfield Police said they "do not believe there are any additional risks or concerns" related to this incident.
The principal says regardless of circumstance, they take each and every alleged threat very seriously.
"Each spring, schools across the country experience an increase in the number of threats they receive," Principal Stacy Theien-Collins wrote in a letter to families. "Often, it is students hoping we will suspend classes. We take all threats seriously, even those considered a prank. We intend to maintain an orderly environment at RHS, and the District will pursue disciplinary and legal action against any student or person involved in these types of incidents. RPS does not tolerate school violence, threats of violence, or weapons on school property."
In the email, the principal noted a similar nationwide threat that circulated on Thursday toward schools with the initials "RHS."
The district said if parents have any questions or concerns they can contact Principal Theien-Collins directly.
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