Charges announced in Eastpointe school threat

EASTPOINTE — A juvenile has been charged with making terrorist threats after she allegedly called into her school multiple times declaring that she would commit a mass shooting.

The original incident occurred early in the afternoon Aug. 29, when a staff member at Eastpointe High School reportedly received multiple threatening phone calls from an unknown female suspect who sounded like a teenager.

During the first call, the suspect allegedly asked for permission to have two students released from school, claiming a relative was sick in the hospital.

But when asked to identify herself, she reportedly made a threat to shoot the caller and other students at the school, mentioning that she lives close by before hanging up. The suspect is said by police to have called back and made similar threats multiple times in a short period of time.

Eastpointe police said they immediately got involved, with road patrol officers, detectives and operatives with the Special Investigation Unit all at the scene, securing the school. Meanwhile, police said they used the phone number to identify the suspect, a 16-year-old from Warren who is a student at Eastpointe High School. She allegedly confessed upon being interviewed, police said.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office has now charged the suspect with false report or threat of terrorism, which is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine, along with reimbursement to the government for expenses incurred due to the crime, police said. Since the suspect is a juvenile, her name will not be disclosed.

“The Eastpointe Police Department wants to remind the community that these types of threats are taken seriously, investigated fully and could result in criminal charges,” Eastpointe Police Lt. Alexander Holish said in a prepared statement. “Anyone who sees or hears these types of threats should immediately report them to your local law enforcement agency.”

To reach the Eastpointe police, call (586) 445-5100.

According to Eastpointe Community Schools Communication and Marketing Coordinator Caitlyn Kienitz, school officials and the school’s resource officer investigated the threat immediately and determined it was not credible. Because there was no imminent risk to students and staff at any time, students were dismissed from school at the regular time that afternoon.

Kienitz declined to comment on whether the student who allegedly made the threat was suspended from school.

“Per board policy and state and federal law, the district cannot discuss any information regarding an individual student,” she said via email.

All threats to the district’s students and staff are taken seriously. Students, families and community members who hear about a threat or see suspicious activity are encouraged to contact OK2SAY or the police.

OK2SAY is the student safety program that allows people to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees, and schools. Tips can be reported via telephone at 8-555-OK2SAY, via text at 652729 (OK2SAY) or via email at OK2SAY@mi.gov.

Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.

Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.