2 Copley High School students suspended after threatening to blow up the marching band

COPLEY, Ohio - Two Copley High School students have been suspended for making threats on Facebook against the high school marching band.

According to Copley Police Chief Michael Mier, classmates approached school staff and administrators alerting them that two sophomore students had posted threats on Facebook that they were going to blow up the high school band during Friday night's football game. There was a photo of a gun posted as well.

Chief Mier reports that the students have charges pending for making false threats.

Administrators pulled the students out of class and interviewed them. Both males were suspended.

Copley-Fairlawn Superintendent Brian Poe confirmed there were indications from students regarding two students using social media to make threats.

Poe said the thread started when one student posted a photo of a gun on Facebook and communicated with a second student about the firearm. The first student posted that the gun was real -- and then threats were make in the post about killing students, detonating a bomb and planting an explosive device at a school event.

According to Poe, the students at one point in the conversation said they were not serious and realized others could interpret their conversation as real threats.

The two students in question were cooperative with school officials, Poe said, and it turned out the gun was a toy from an action figure.

"I want to commend our students for bringing it to the attention of our administration immediately," said Poe.

Authorities and officials are not expecting any problems at Friday's home game against Orrville, but there will be extra Copley police officers on site.

Poe also stated that the district takes these matters extremely serious and have been in contact with Orrville's superintendent making them aware of the situation.

Under Ohio law, students are typically suspended and face expulsion in these situations.