MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Montgomery County Public School said in a letter to families Thursday evening that threats popping up against schools are considered "low level" by police.
The letter says school officials and Montgomery County Police Department were "made aware of a number of online threats" made against schools in the county. MCPS says the posts are similar in style and "mention a school shooting intended for Friday, Feb. 4 and include racial and hateful comments."
WUSA9 was emailed two screenshots of Instagram story messages that MCPS was reviewing. The posts contained racist, antisemitic and violent threats and mentioned Wheaton High School.
School officials asked the community not to share any threatening posts but to report it to law enforcement.
"MCPS and MCPD will continue to monitor social media and will actively investigate any specific threat in our community," the letter says. "Montgomery County Police have committed to having officers ensure that schools are part of regular patrols on Friday."
Parents responded to the district's 9 p.m. Twitter post asking what "low-level threat" means, saying that they were concerned about any threat.
One parent wrote, "'Low level' meaning a. "We know this kid and he has no access to weapons and started crying as soon as we questioned him and is now grounded for life" or b. "Can't trace to a known person, prolly NBD, good luck tomorrow everyone"? This is NOT reassuring.'
Another typed, "Current response to crisis is minimal at best. A threat should be taken seriously. You leave us no other choice than to keep our children home. Everyone stay home for your safety."
Others called for the SRO program to be reinstated.
Montgomery County Police released more details about the threats Friday morning. Investigators said the threats from a former student were non-credible, and the former MCPS student no longer lives in the United States.
And Montgomery County schools sent a letter to parents, reasserting the threats were found to be non-credible by police:
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Montgomery County Police (MCPD) have been made aware of a number of online threats being made toward schools in Montgomery County. These threats have included Wheaton High School by name. These social media threats are similar in style and content and mention a school shooting intended for today, Friday, Feb. 4 and include racial and hateful comments.
The Montgomery County Police, through their investigation have now determined these threats to be non-credible. The identified suspect is a former student that no longer lives in the United States which meant more time was needed to complete the investigation. MCPS and MCPD monitor social media and will actively investigate any specific threat in our community. The community is encouraged not to share these types of messages but to report such threats to local law enforcement. The police continue their commitment to MCPS by ensuring officers are including schools as part of regular patrols today, as well as all high schools throughout the county.
If you or your child becomes aware of a student who has a weapon or is planning to hurt themselves or others, please immediately contact the local police and the school administration. Anonymous tips can also be reported to the Maryland SafeSchools Tipline at 833-MD-B-SAFE (available 24/7).
While the threats were deemed not credible, they come almost two weeks since a shooting at Magruder High School in Derwood left a student hospitalized in critical condition.
They also come weeks after police arrested a Wheaton High School student for bringing a gun to school.
"If you or your child becomes aware of a student who has a weapon or is planning to hurt themselves or others, please immediately contact the local police and the school administration," the letter says.
Anyone with information they would like to report anonymously can call the Maryland Safe Schools Tipline available all hours of the day at 833-MD-B-SAFE.