Green Bay student arrested for school threat

GREEN BAY - A problem getting nationwide attention hit Green Bay Friday.

One week after a gunman killed 26 people at a Connecticut school, a person was taken into custody for allegedly making a threat involving Preble High School.  

Police became aware of the threat late Thursday night.

Officers said they've tracked down the person who made it, and determined the threat was not credible.

According to police, they've been investigating rumors all week at various schools.

None were substantiated, until Thursday evening when a rumor was traced back to a district student.

Officials are not identifying the suspect because the person is a juvenile.

Green Bay police say the student posted a threat on a social media website.

It involved a possible shooting at Preble High School Friday.

"This particular one was very specific, had some very specific language in there," said Green Bay Police Lt. Jody Buth.

Police and school officials said overnight, investigators were able to trace the threat. Officers took the student into custody early Friday morning.

"They were able to bring that person in interview them, and found out through that interview that the actual threat was not a credible threat," Buth said.

Authorities wouldn't say if the person who allegedly made the threat is in high school or attends Preble.

School officials took extra steps to ensure safety and security Friday morning. Students entering the building had their IDs checked, and extra police officers were on hand.

"If in fact, there would have been any, any, any substantiation of a threat we would have responded differently," said Green Bay Schools Superintendent Michelle Langenfeld.

News of the threat did affect attendance at the high school.

"There were some parents that heard about the rumor through their children, and they chose to keep their students home," said Executive Director of Pupil Services Barbara Dorff.

Preble students FOX 11 spoke with said they learned of the threat on Facebook.

"During the lunch hour, someone, there was going to be shootings," said Preble sophomore Damon Benz.

Benz said he didn't believe it, and wasn't nervous about coming to school.

"No, my sister was but I wasn't," Benz said.

Police and school officials said they take all threats seriously, especially in the wake of the Connecticut school shootings.

"It's extremely important. As we develop information, we move forward with them, and we tend to try to work with the school district hand in hand to investigate these," Buth said.

School officials have made contact with parents regarding the incident.

The suspect is no longer in police custody; however, officials are seeking charges of disorderly conduct.

The district is also looking at disciplinary action, including expulsion.

Other area districts have also experienced similar threats, but none of those have been found to be credible.