A THREAT AGAINST OTTAWA HIGH SCHOOL WAS QUICKLY THWARTED YESTERDAY. ABOUT 5:00 YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, OTTAWA POLICE WERE NOTIFIED OF THREATS OF VIOLENCE DIRECTED AT THE OTTAWA HIGH SCHOOL. OFFICERS IMMEDIATELY BEGAN SEARCHING FOR THE SUSPECT AND LOCATED HIM AT A RESIDENCE IN OTTAWA. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, OFFICERS COLLECTED AN AIRSOFT PISTOL AND A KNIFE. DURING THIS TIME, OFFICERS WERE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS.
A 16-YEAR-OLD MALE FROM OTTAWA WAS ARRESTED FOR CRIMINAL THREATS AND TAKEN TO THE FRANKLIN COUNTY JUVENILE INTAKE AND ASSESSMENT CENTER AND IS BEING HELD IN THE DOUGLAS COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER. POLICE WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THERE IS NO ACTIVE THREAT TOWARDS ANY STUDENTS OR STAFF OF USD 290. OTTAWA POLICE MAINTAIN A VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL USD 290 STAFF AND HAVE A RESOURCE OFFICER STATIONED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND FREQUENTLY PATROLS IN AND AROUND OTHER SCHOOLS.
ANY THREATS MADE TOWARD STUDENTS OR STAFF ARE TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE CASE WILL BE SENT TO THE FRANKLIN COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR PROSECUTION.
ANYONE CAN REPORT A THREAT OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE BY CALLING THE KANSAS SCHOOL SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-877-626-8203. ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A THREAT OF VIOLENCE IS ENCOURAGED TO CALL 9-1-1.
