OREM, Utah — Officials at an Orem school say they have "addressed" a threat made against the cheerleading squad Tuesday night.
Through her phone, a Mountain View High School cheerleader was sent an altered photo of the team featuring a pentagram with the words "13 sacrifices" and "Cheer is Evil" written on the picture, along with the letter "x" marked over some of the girls.
According to a parent who contacted FOX 13, the school did not immediately respond to parents of the cheerleaders when they asked if their children should be kept at home. The parent added that after not hearing back from administrators, many parents kept their frightened students from school.
However, in a letter sent to all parents Wednesday, the school principal and assistant principal acknowledged the threat and said measures had been taken.
"We know the parties involved in the threat; and we have taken appropriate action to make sure your students are safe," the letter read.
Principal Mike Ericksen and Assistant Principal Mickelle Bos said the school worked with cheerleading coach Amy Andrus and school police officer Sgt. David Call to investigate the threat.
"We take your students’ safety seriously. Regarding this issue, we can say with 100% certainty that we have addressed the threat and applied appropriate disciplinary action," said Ericksen. "We cannot discuss specifics concerning the matter, since we value the privacy of all our students."
The Alpine School District said the student who was responsible for the image was identified after an investigation.
“After learning of the disturbing image, school administration and law enforcement began an investigation," a statement from the district to FOX 13 reads. "The individual responsible has been identified and appropriate action is being taken. Student safety is our priority, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated in Alpine School District.”
It's not known if the person or people who sent the photo are students or connected to the school in any way.
