2 School Threats in Columbia Reported This Week

COLUMBIA, MD — Two high schools in Columbia have received threats this week, administrators say, the latest of which will result in an increaseed police presence and modified lockdown Friday.

Long Reach High School Prinicipal Joshua Wasilewski notified families of the situation Thursday in a letter that said: "This afternoon, we were notified that a threatening message was found written on the wall of a student bathroom."

The threat was being investigated by the school system's security coordinator as well as the Howard County Police Department.

"As a precautionary measure, I have requested an additional police presence tomorrow and will be implementing a modified lock down once students have entered the building," Wasilewski said Thursday. "Please know that I will take every possible measure to ensure the safety of our school."

The notification came the day after students at Oakland Mills High School walked out of class to show they would not tolerate racism at their school and that they wanted increased transparency about the status of students who lodged threats against the safety of their peers.

"At the near conclusion of the program, we received a threatening phone call from someone who identified as a parent. The caller did not want their child participating in the event," Oakland Mills High School Principal Katherine Orlando said in a note to parents and guardians Wednesday. "We immediately asked the students to come into the building and went into a modified lock down as a precaution."

During the modified lockdown, students were required to remain in classes inside for the rest of the day. Security was added for afternoon and evening activities, officials reported.

While the alleged parent's choice resulted in restrictions, Orlando said students acted in a positive way during their walkout, stating: "...the students were clear they would not let negative statements and events define our school and would use this event to unify our school and stand as one student body. I am proud of how the students handled themselves at the demonstration."

Related: Walkout at Oakland Mills High School Calls for End to Hate, More Transparency