TREMONTON, Utah — Authorities have cleared several schools in the Box Elder County School District after classes were moved online Monday because of threats.
After bomb-sniffing dogs made their way through Bear River High School and Bear River Middle School, both facilities were deemed safe. All other schools in Tremonton and Garland were also searched with the K-9s and cleared with no indication of explosives.
Police first reported the investigation of the alleged threats Sunday night, initially saying school would continue as normal Monday morning. The district then announced Monday morning that classes would be moved online.
District officials said the threats were in the form of social media postings. The threats were called in by parents and students, and started with a drawn picture of a handgun found in the bathroom of Bear River High School on Friday.
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Superintendent Steve Carlsen said another of the threats from a student showed a looping video of a pistol with the word "tomorrow" superimposed on top. Another video from a different student showed a pair of eyes with a banner across that implied a bomb threat at the school.
Police announced Monday evening that after serving search warrants and conducting interviews, they determined that the threats were "attempts at being funny, which were not funny." They added that two juvenile suspects will face criminal charges for their actions, which "caused alarm and concern throughout the community."
The Tremonton Garland Police Department gave an update Monday night that schools will return to in-person learning on Tuesday, but "additional safety procedures" will be in place. The department said it will provide extra security at all of the schools in the area and will "investigate all evidence and tips that we receive."
School leaders urged parents and students to check their Canvas accounts and school emails for detailed instructions.
