Santa Monica High Social Media Post Prompts Police Response

SANTA MONICA, CA — A "threatening photo" posted by a Santa Monica High School student on Snapchat prompted a police and school district investigation Monday morning, according to Samohi Principal Antonio Shelton.

The school became aware of the post at 7 a.m. Monday, Shelton said. School security removed the student involved from campus Monday morning and the school remained in session as of 10:25 a.m. Monday, Shelton said.

The Santa Monica Police Department did not believe the student was a threat to the school community, Shelton said in a statement.

School district authorities did not identify the student or specify the nature of the threat.

Santa Monica police met with the student and the student's parents and searched the student's residence and car. School district authorities did not say what if anything they found during the search of the student's vehicle and belongings.

"We would like to thank our quick responding Samohi leadership and staff, along with SMPD, who responded swiftly and appropriately to this incident. Students and staff are safe and school is in session at this time. The safety and health of our students and staff is our top priorities," Superintendent Ben Drati said in an email to the district community.

The investigations comes shortly after a student fatally shot four students and injured many more at a high school in Oxford, Michigan. It was the deadliest school shooting since 2018, according to Education Week.