Mentor police investigate threat at Ridge Middle School

MENTOR, Ohio - Mentor Police received a complaint Thursday nigh that a student was going to bring a weapon to Ridge Middle School on an unknown date.

Mentor Police spoke with the student and the student's parents Thursday evening.

There was no weapon found, and the rumor was unsubstantiated.

At this time, there are no charges or arrest and police are still investigating.

A uniformed police officer was staffed at the school Friday as a precaution.

Friday, the Mentor School District  confirmed there was rumor of a threat of possible violence by a student toward the school. A media release is expected later today.

Mentor Police statement:

On February 14, 2013 the Mentor Police Department received a call of a Ridge Middle School student alleging he was going to bring a gun to school on February 15th. The investigation began immediately and the student was interviewed. The rumor is unsubstantiated and no one was ever in danger. The student never brought a weapon to school and has not been arrested however the investigation is continuing.

The Mentor Police Department and Mentor School administrators take the safety of our schools extremely seriously. Neither agency will tolerate any person making threats of potential violence which will be investigated completely. The student involved in this threat was not permitted to attend school today. Ridge’s principal and assistant principal made an announcement to students today to reassure them of their safety in school and explained the extra police presence in the building.

Police and administrators are proud of the students who heard the rumor and in turn told an adult they trusted so appropriate safety precautions could be taken.