School Shooting Threat in Franklin, OH

School Shooting Threat

A female student at Franklin Senior High School in Franklin, OH, was arrested after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at her school, causing her classmates to panic.  The 15-year old reportedly told several classmates that she wanted to do a mass school shooting and end it with a "suicide by cop".

No weapons were found on campus, and the student is facing charges of inducing panic.  Since it happened on school grounds, it is being treated as a felony.  An audio of the 911 call can be found HERE.

School Shooting Threat Analysis

From 1998 to 2012, there were 22 Active Shooter Incidents in US K12 schools (Satterly, 2014). This is using the DHS definition of an Active Shooter, “An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims” (DHS, 2013).  This averages out to approximately 1.47 incidents a year.

While these are tragic incidents, we need to maintain a proper perspective.  More incidents are prevented than actually occur.  Thankfully, this is one of those times where the good guys prevented something bad from happening.  In fact, it is a good thing that this young lady may now get the help she needs.

It would seem that Franklin Senior High School has developed the kind of school climate in which students feel comfortable with telling a staff member about a serious situation.  The school appears to have acted swiftly and correctly, and a possible tragedy was averted.

So what do we learn from this?  The cheapest, best way to prevent tragedy is to invest time in developing a rapport with your students, whether you are a principal, teacher, or SRO.  It is through that rapport that trust is built, and from that trust comes the capability for students to come forward with critical information in a timely manner. 

The students who came forward are to be commended, as is the school staff who quickly alerted the police, who then acted quickly to investigate, arresting the student before she could leave school.

This is the goal.  1.47 Active Shooter Incidents a year is 1.47 incidents too much.

Crimes against Children Digest 7-22-14

Yucca Valley Man Who Worked at Area School Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Pornography Charges 

Inland Empire Man Who Admitted Sex Trafficking of a Child Who Worked as Prostitute Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal Prison  

San Miguel County Man Arrested on Federal Child Pornography Charges 

Oklahoma City Man Charged with Traveling to Colorado to Bring 13-Year-Old to Oklahoma City to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct 

Shiprock Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Abuse Charge

Edmond Man Charged with Traveling to Kenya to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with Underage Children

Hattiesburg Man Sentenced on Child Pornography Charges 

Tulalip Tribal Member Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Lafayette Man Sentenced to 168 Months in Prison for Receiving Child Pornography

Florence Couple Indicted for Producing Child Pornography     

Crimes against Children Digest 7-17-14

FBI Seeks Public’s Assistance in an Investigation Regarding the Sexual Abuse of Minors

Kidnapping Victim Rescued by FBI 

Cincinnati Man Sentenced to 32 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography Victimizing a Child He Babysat 

Girl, 10, 'raped by 8-yr-old classmate while his sister held her down' in HORRIFIC primary school attack 

Local Man Sentenced for Producing Child Pornography  

Manchester Woman Sentenced to 15 Years on Child Exploitation Charge 

Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact with a Minor Under the Age of 12

Man Sentenced to Prison for Abusive Sexual Contact with a Person Under the Age of 12 Years 

West Hartford Man Charged with Using the Internet to Distribute Obscene Materials to a Minor  

California Man Pleads Guilty to Online Enticement of a West Michigan Child  

Crimes against Children Digest 7-2-14

Jerseyville Woman Indicted for Threatening to Destroy Calhoun County High School 

Madera County Man Indicted for Pipe Bombs Found at School and Gas Station

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Federal Offense of Sex Trafficking of a Child 

Albany Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography 

Combating Violent Crimes Against Children   

FBI Charlotte and Safe Kids North Carolina Partner to Keep Children Safe 

FBI Announces Child Safety Tips

Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Transporting Teenage Girls from California to Nevada to Work as Prostitutes 

Antelope Valley Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge of Producing Child Pornography Related to Molestation of Relative  

Maryland Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for Traveling to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Possession of Child Pornography

Girl, 10, Raped in School by Brother and Sister Duo

Oklahoma City, OK

A mother alleges that her 10-year old daughter was raped in a restroom at Edgemere Elementary School.  Her daughter came running out of the school in tears and told her mother, "Mama, they touched me down there."  The mother took her daughter to the hospital, where doctors said her injuries were "consistent with a sexual assault".  Allegedly, the boy's sister held the victim down while he pulled down her underwear, pulled his pants down, and raped her.

Oklahoma City School District officials immediately called the police, and are cooperating with the investigation.

Analysis
In such incidents, the attention is first turned toward the safety of the child, and then the question, "How could this happen?" is asked.  The first thing I would look at is the procedures by which students leave the classroom.  Do they sign in and out of the classroom?  How do teachers maintain accountability of students at all times?

It is easy to think that elementary schools are safe because the kids are so young and the teachers are so attentive.  This is denial thinking.  In Staying Alive, we outline how to combat denial.  Denial is a very powerful thought process, but it is one that is chosen.  Elementary schools are sometimes places of violence.  While not at the same rate as middle schools and high schools, violence does happen there.  

Overcome denial and prepare properly.

Canadian School Has School Safety Issues

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Brentwood Elementary, a school in Elk Island Schools, showed that school violence is not just an American problem.

A fourth grade student assaulted a teacher's aide.  That same student was allegedly in possession of a "hit list".  The school district met with parents, but were unable to share information wanted by the parents, due to privacy concerns.

Analysis
In Staying Alive, we make the point that school attacks are not limited to American schools.  They occur all over the world.  In fact, most people reading the above story without looking at the title would most likely assume they are reading about a U.S. school.

Boy Beaten by Guardian in School Office

Safe Havens International

A 12-year old student got into trouble at Hale Junior High in Tulsa, OK, and his guardian was called to the school.

She was buzzed in while hiding an axe handle and some cable behind her leg.  Upon reaching the boy in the school office, she assaulted him with the axe handle and cable.  School police had to pull her off of the boy, who was left with welts and bruises on his arms.  The boy has been removed from the woman's home, and she was arrested and charged with felony child abuse.

Analysis
Without knowing all the facts in the case, it is unknown what level of training the office personnel had received in the use of their electronic access system.  It is important to note that visual weapons screening, and training in pattern-matching and recognition is a necessary addition to any training for electronic access.  Such systems are only as good as the people who implement them, and the training they receive.

Teacher makes bomb threat

Safe Havens International

May 1, 2014

Michelle Smith, a teacher at Calhoun County High School in Jerseyville, IL, was arrested after a typed note was found in the school restroom.  The note threatened an explosion.  The school was evacuated, but no explosive device was found.

This is a good time to review your own bomb threat protocols.  Spring is often a time for students to make false bomb threats to get a break from class, and get some outdoor time.

Always take bomb threats seriously!  Take life-saving steps as found in the Window of Life, and call 911.