By: Mary Beth Almond | Rochester Post | Published March 8, 2023
ROCHESTER HILLS — The Rochester High School school resource officer received an “Ok2Say” tip from school officials indicating that a 15-year-old student had made a verbal threat to bring a gun to the school while talking among friends playing a video game Feb. 22.
Upon receiving the information, Superintendent Robert Shaner said, school administrators and police liaison officers, in coordination with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, “immediately initiated an investigation.”
The student’s home was searched, with the consent of parents, and legally owned firearms — which were secured in a safe — were found in the home, according to reports from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. The student’s bedroom was also searched, and no weapons were found.
The student, who lives in Rochester Hills, denied making any such statement, according to reports from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. The student was held out of school, pending further investigation.
“The district will continue working with law enforcement and school officials to perform a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate disciplinary action and necessary interventions,” Shaner said in an email to district parents. “The safety and security of our students and staff is always our priority, and we are committed to ensuring all members of our school community experience an environment where they are safe, valued and respected. We commend Rochester High School students for taking swift action in reporting this incident to trusted adults at school.”
Shaner said the district continues to encourage students to talk with a trusted adult if they see, hear or experience something that doesn’t seem right. He said individuals can use the Talk to RCS feature on the district’s website at rochester.k12.mi.us; anonymously report information using OK2SAY at (855) 565-2729 or texting 652729; or call the school and speak to an administrator.
Shaner said Rochester Community Schools “will not tolerate activity that may compromise the safety of our school community.”
“As such, the district will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone associated with violent, illegal, threatening or harmful activities,” he said in an email to parents.