Hart, Shelby districts receive threats in wake of Oxford shooting.

Hart, Shelby districts receive threats in wake of Oxford shooting.

HART — Both Hart and Shelby school districts went into “soft lockdowns” after receiving threats Monday, Dec. 6.

Several districts on the east side of the state canceled classes after receiving “copycat” threats in the wake of the deadly school shooting at Oxford High School in Oakland County last week. West Michigan schools reported receiving threats, prompting school officials in Grand Haven and Fruitport to cancel classes Monday.

Hart went into lockdown after classes were dismissed Thursday, Dec. 2, following a threat that was later determined to be targeted at a school located on the east side of state. 

“Today, the school district received a threat,” states Hart Public School Superintendent Mark Platt on the school’s Facebook page Monday, Dec. 6. “The threat was immediately turned over to law enforcement for assessment. The origin of the threat is being pursued by Oceana County law enforcement, Muskegon County law enforcement and the FBI to find the origin of this threat. We have partnered with each other due to the fact that several other schools in Muskegon County received similar threats. All parties are deeply committed to finding the person(s) and prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law. 

“As a precaution, the district went into what is called a soft lockdown. In a soft lockdown, we limit the movement and activity of students and staff until the threat has been assessed. In today’s situation, we decided to remain in a soft lockdown for the remainder of the school day. We did cancel the afternoon CTE bus route and Project Focus, but the weather also played a significant factor in that decision.”

“Today, our high school was informed of a communication, through social media, that a dangerous situation may be present,” said Shelby Public Schools Superintendent Tim Reeves in a written statement Monday. “This communication was immediately turned over to law enforcement for assessment. The origin of this communication is being pursued by Shelby police and the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office.

“Our district has partnered with local law enforcement agencies due to the fact that several other districts in Muskegon County received similar information,” said Reeves. “All parties are committed to finding the person(s) and prosecuting them to fullest extent of the law.

“As a precaution, the high school went into a soft lockdown,” said Reeves. “In a soft lockdown, we limit the movement and activity of students and staff. In today’s situation, given we did not receive additional information, we decided to remain in a soft lockdown for the remainder of the school day.”

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