Extra Security On Campus After Teen Arrested For Alleged Violence Threat At Mervo High School
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore City Schools were back in class Thursday, and students from one high school were met with a greater police presence after a teenager was arrested over an alleged threat.
A post, showing guns, purportedly written by an angry parent mentioned bullying and threatened to shoot hundreds of students. Police said it was actually written by a 16-year-old girl.
She was arrested Wednesday, charged with threat of mass violence and has been released into the custody of her parents, police said.
While the threat was not deemed credible, it was serious enough that a 16-year-old girl who police say made the threat was arrested, and Merganthaler parents and students came back to school Thursday morning to a visible increase in police presence.
"Bullying is everything, like my aunt said, but I guess that person just couldn't handle it," 16-year-old Jefferson Gregory said.
"I think it's pretty secure. They caught the person that was responsible for it. I put prayers in for her, as well," said Marvenia Hubbard, an aunt of a student.
Merganthaler parents and students came back to school Thursday morning with a visible increase of police.
"Kids come to school every day, but they have to think about their safety when they come to school. That's not right," said Daveona Ransome, the sister of a sophomore at the school.
"It's up to the parents. Make sure you come here and watch what your kids are doing and whatever. Check up on your kids," said Isaac Stalk, parent of a freshman at the school.
School district officials said city and school police will be here on campus for additional security after the threat.
"They [police] were inside the building, as well, when they were checking all the kids and getting the adults' identification and stuff, as well. They're doing the right thing by staying on top of that," Ransome said.
Some parents, though, will be more relieved after they get more answers from teachers and administrators.
"I'm hearing a bunch of stuff. I don't want to go by hearsay. I just want to check [in with the teachers] myself," Stalk said.
