HILL CITY-The Hill City School was closed Thursday after a threat was conveyed overnight through social media. School officials took the threat seriously and closed school to ensure student and staff safety.
The threat was reportedly specific to the Hill City School and some students.
The incident is under investigation by the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office, the Hill City Police Department and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Superintendent Pat Rendle said Hill City high school students made adults aware late Wednesday night that a situation was escalating on Snapchat.
Students were forwarding and creating screenshots of conversations they were having with an individual who was anonymous at the time, Rendle said. The person, who has not been determined to be a student, was making threats to come to the school and the threat was tied to an incident last week for which a student was disciplined, Rendle said.
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The conversations on social media escalated and the threats became specific, he said. Students became worried and began telling parents, coaches and school board members.
After involving law enforcement, school leaders decided to "take the words for what they were" and cancel school, Rendle said.
