An 18-year-old male Northwest High School student has been arrested for allegedly making a bomb threat today (March 21) at the school in Cedar HIll, the Jefferson County Sheriffs’ Office reports.
Authorities searched the school, and no explosive devices were found, Capt. Andy Sides said.
“The investigation is ongoing, but currently we believe there is no immediate, substantial threat to the students or the public in general,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a written statement.
The suspect allegedly was heard mentioning a bomb and its “pending detonation” at the school, the Sheriff’s Office said in a written statement.
“Several students overheard a statement by the student,” Capt. Andy Sides said.
The students told school staff, and the school followed its protocol for such situations, said Katie Cothron, Northwest community relations coordinator.
“As soon as a student comes forward, we notify the Sheriff’s (Office) and then follow their protocol,” she said. “Student safety is our top priority and the safety of our staff is a priority.”
Administrators informed the school resource officer about the threat at 11:28 a.m., and additional law enforcement personnel were called to the school, the Sheriff's Office report said.
The school was evacuated, and students were directed to go to the high school stadium, where they filled the bleachers.
Sides said evacuating the school was the right thing to do.
“Based on where we are right now, they aren’t going to take anything lightly, so they made the decision to evacuate the building,” he said.
Cothron said she was proud of the students who came forward.
“We always encourage students if they see something to say something. They did the right thing,” she said.
She also said she was proud of the staff “for the relationships educators build with students that made this possible.”
At about 1:45 p.m., administrators decided to dismiss students, and buses came to the high school to take students home.
An Explosive Detection Canine Team, which included personnel and dogs from the Arnold Police Department, St. Louis County Police Department and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, was called in to search the school for explosive devices, Sides said.
The team finished searching the building at about 3:30 p.m. this afternoon, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect was being held at the Jefferson County Jail, Sides said at about 4:45 p.m.
The Sheriff’s Office will seek charges against the suspect for first-degree making a terrorist threat, according to the report.