BAXTER — The Baxter Police Department released a statement Thursday morning, Jan. 20, regarding the investigation of a threat made by a Forestview Middle School student Wednesday.
Through the initial investigation, the police department reported the threat was not to the Baxter school but was instead several juveniles who potentially made threats toward one another.
”Currently the investigation continues but authorities are confident that at no time was there a threat to the school,” stated Baxter Police Chief Jim Exsted, in the news release.
The situation gained online attention after a parent’s Facebook post Wednesday night. The post, on a Crow Wing County community page, stated a Forestview student showed other students a gun collection over Google Meet. The parent’s post stated the student threatened the other students and threatened to bring the guns to school the following day. Then, shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday, Laine Larson, Brainerd Public Schools superintendent, released the following statement to school district families:
"Wednesday evening, January 19, 2022, district officials were made aware of a potential threat involving juveniles from Forestview Middle School. Baxter Police fully investigated the situation and have determined that there is no credible threat to any students or staff tomorrow.
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Brainerd Public Schools and local law enforcement treat all reports of threats seriously and appreciate your understanding as we worked together to address this matter of safety. Please be advised that there will be increased law enforcement presence at Forestview Middle School tomorrow. Thank you."
The Baxter Police Department reported it will work alongside the Brainerd School District on any disciplinary actions and the Crow Wing County Attorney’s Office on possible criminal charges related to this incident.
