Seeking to avert another school shooting, officials at Niwot High School in Colorado have closed school until Monday after a hit list was found today. The hit list contained around 30 names, and its discovery followed on the heels of a threat scrawled in the bathroom Monday. The threat was found by the janitor, and it said that the school was "going to blow on the 11th." The Longmont TimesCall.com had the story on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013.
One teacher talked to Longmont TimesCall.com about what the teachers were being told about the situation:
Sheriff's deputies attended a Niwot High faculty meeting on Thursday afternoon to explain they had evidence that the threats were real, the teacher said.
The school sent emails to the parents today explaining the decision to close tomorrow. Twitchy.com published part of that email:
Based on the recommendation of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department, the District will close Niwot High School at the end of the day on Thursday. The school will remain closed Friday and over the weekend.
The recommendation to close the school was made, in part, due to a second written threat discovered by students earlier on Thursday. Canceling school provides law enforcement professionals additional time to evaluate the threats.
Be advised that the second threat identifies the names of approximately 30 Niwot High students. Law enforcement professionals have begun contacting the parents of these students for follow-up discussions and to ensure their student’s safety.
The decision to close this Colorado High School was no doubt also influenced by the school shooting today at Taft High School in California where one student was injured. The recent increase in school shootings is coupled with an increase in passion in the debate over gun control in the United States. Ironically, only an armed guard could have prevented this school shooting today in California, yet the lobby for gun control will not consider the option.
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