Second LMSD Student Allegedly Made Snapchat Threat: Reports

After a Harriton High School student was removed from school and taken into police custody earlier this week for allegedly making a threat on Snapchat, a Lower Merion High School student was similarly taken into custody after allegedly making a threat at his school.

The alleged Lower Merion High School threat happened the day after the Harriton student made his alleged threat.

NBC 10 reports the Lower Merion student "essentially copied what the Harriton student had done and posted it on Snapchat with the words 'just joking.'"

The alleged threat made by the Harriton student said “Don’t come to school tomorrow" and had three gun emojis following the message, as well as a photo of the student sticking his middle finger up at the camera.

Main Line Times reports Lower Merion Police said both students will undergo mental health evaluations.

The incident at Harriton led the Lower Merion School District Superintendent to send an email to the school community addressing the incident.

Superintendent Robert Copeland said the threat did not pose "an imminent threat to the safety of students" as determined by police.

Copeland said law enforcement is handling the matter and the student who made the threat "will not be permitted to attend school until resolution of the investigation and any school-based actions."

Read Copeland's entire letter below:

Dear Harriton and Lower Merion Families,

Earlier this evening we were advised of a threatening message posted by a student on Snapchat about committing a violent act at school. Upon receiving this information, we immediately notified local law enforcement and they have been directly handling the matter.

While the investigation is still ongoing, the police have advised us that the situation does not pose an imminent threat to the safety of students. Along with law enforcement, we have addressed the Harriton student who posted the message and that individual will not be permitted to attend school until resolution of the investigation and any school-based actions.

Please know that we take these matters extremely seriously and have no tolerance for violent threats of any kind. Student safety is always our top priority. Moving forward, this situation will continue to be addressed in accordance with school district policy and in consultation with the authorities. This incident also serves as an important reminder about the appropriate use of social media. It is essential that students have clear parameters about social media use and a full understanding of the implications of their words.

Finally, we would like to express our appreciation for how quickly the matter was reported by students and families in the District. We are grateful for your continued support in helping to ensure the safety of our school community.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Principal Scott Weinstein at Harriton at (610) 658-4950 or Principal Sean Hughes at Lower Merion at (610) 645-1819.

Sincerely,

Robert Copeland
Superintendent

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