Social media post results in cancellation of classes at LUHS

Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) administrators called off school on Nov. 2 after an image of a gun was posted to social media the night before.

“Due to a potential threat via Social Media, there will be NO SCHOOL on Thursday, November 2, 2023,” a Nov. 2 Facebook post from the school read. “The purpose of not being at school is to allow law enforcement to complete their investigation and ensure safety to our students and school.”

The Woodruff Police Department issued a press release of its own on the morning of Nov. 2. It stated the department was made aware of the “online threat” towards LUHS. 

According to Woodruff Police, the threat was a Snapchat post of a handgun, captioned with the message “don’t come to school tomorrow.”

Investigators responded to the juvenile suspect’s residence in Woodruff and the individual confirmed he made the post, the release states. Apparently, the presumed LUHS student claimed the picture and caption he posted “wasn’t meant to be taken seriously and he had no intention of harming anyone.”

After searching the student’s residence, investigators said they found “look alike” BB and airsoft guns, which were confiscated, including the item posted to Snapchat. 

“No actual firearms were located in the residence,” the department’s press release concludes. “One felony charge of ‘terrorist threats’ has been forwarded to (Oneida County) juvenile intake for review.”

Minocqua Police Department took to Facebook at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 2, posting a picture of the Woodruff Police Department’s press release and noting it helped bring the investigation “to a conclusion.”

A statement issued by LUHS administrator Bob Smudde advised that administration was made aware of the Snapchat post in the “evening hours” of Nov. 1.

An LUHS student alerted one of the district’s staff, Smudde said in the statement, and law enforcement was contacted just before 9:30 p.m. 

Smudde said law enforcement informed administration an investigation was already underway, as others had made them aware of the post.

“At approximately 10 p.m., Administration of LUHS called off school to allow time for us to conduct a Comprehensive Threat Assessment separate from the law enforcement,” Smudde said in the release. “Due to the timing of the event, and the lack of time to conduct a thorough investigation on the school’s behalf, it was determined that to maintain safety for all, school would be canceled.”

Trevor Greene may be reached via email at [email protected].