YPD say threats were “misunderstood” and investigation continues
UPDATE (1:44 P.M.)
Gila Ridge High School will be resuming classes on Wednesday, February 28th at 7:45 a.m., according to YUHSD.
YUHSD and Gila Ridge staff cooperated with Yuma Police to provide any necessary assistance following an investigation for an alleged threat made against the campus Monday evening.
The high school will remain closed for the rest of today. All of Tuesday’s athletic events and activities involving Gila Ridge programs are postponed until a later date.
(UPDATE 11:35 A.M.)
School Resource Officers and YPD employees were called in and took over monitoring social media to help identify names and addresses of students posting the messages.
It was determined the original post was actually a non-threatening message on a social media network called Snap chat. After learning the identity of the student who made this post, the student was contacted at his residence and interviewed at the Yuma Police Department.
Other students believed to have information were also contacted and interviewed.
The investigation has revealed that after viewing and misinterpreting the original post on Snapchat, several social media participants made a number of secondary posts with inaccurate or false information.
The department is working to identify the person spreading these inaccurate posts.
YPD has been working closely with Yuma Union High School District, Yuma Elementary School District and Crane School District staff throughout this investigation.
In response to social media posts about weapons or ammunition on the Gila Ridge High campus, no weapons or ammunition were located.
Information to support the circumstance of threats made by any student(s) towards other students or persons is unable to be found. At this time, no one has been arrested or charged regarding this incident.
This case is still an active investigation.
(UPDATE 5:11 A.M.)
YPD has informed that Gila Ridge High School has canceled all classes for Tuesday February 27, 2018.
Officers are working closely with the Yuma Union High School District to determine the source and validity of the threat.
We will continue to keep you updated with any new information.
If you have any information about this case please call YPD at 928-373-4700 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.
UPDATE (12:27 A.M.)
Yuma Union High School District announced that classes are canceled for Tuesday, February 27th following a threat made against Gila Ridge High School.
Eric Patten with YUHSD said surrounding schools in the area will remain open tomorrow. Marine Corps Police are at the school now with a canine unit to aid in the investigation.
YPD is still investigating the threat and is at the high school at the moment.
“Our number one priority without question is the safety of our students and staff,” YUHSD Superintendent Gina Thompson said. “In a situation like this, we are going to take every precaution to ensure that.”
Continue with us for any new details regarding this story.
ORIGINAL STORY
We are receiving reports from several concerned parents regarding a possible threat made to Gila Ridge High School through social media.
A student received a message through Snapchat stating that another student would be pulling a fire alarm, alleged followed by a shooting and that authorities have been notified to be at the high school tomorrow morning.
The Yuma Police Department said they are aware of the situation and are looking into it. YPD added that it is the parents’ choice whether to have their children attend school tomorrow.
We have contacted Yuma Union High School District regarding what parents should do regarding the incident and will keep updated with any new information.
