Ferndale student arrested for allegedly making violent threats on social media

FERNDALE — A student at Ferndale High School has been arrested for allegedly making threats of violence on social media against the school.

A press release issued by both Ferndale Public Schools and the Ferndale Police Department states that a 16-year-old girl who is a student at Ferndale High School was arrested Nov. 14.

According to police, at approximately 9:30 p.m. Nov. 13, the department received numerous phone calls about threats made on social media against the school. Because of the threats, the school district made the decision to close Ferndale High School and Ferndale Middle School for the following day, Nov. 14.

Working with the school district, police were able to identify the student who allegedly made the threats and arrest her. Police said in a text message that they did not recover any weapons from the suspect.

“We take threats of violence against our community and students incredibly seriously,” Ferndale Police Capt. David Spellman said in a prepared statement. “In this case, we feel confident that the threat has been neutralized and the suspect poses no ongoing danger to the community.”

Police stated that the suspect will be housed at Oakland County Children’s Village pending a review from the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. 

“As the suspect is a minor and the case remains an open investigation, no further information will be provided at this time,” the statement reads. Police also confirmed, “out of an abundance of caution and to help parents and families feel at ease,” Ferndale police and the Oak Park Public Safety Department will have an “increased presence” throughout all Ferndale schools Nov. 15.

Superintendent Bobbie Goodrum said in a prepared statement that, due to student privacy laws and the ongoing police investigation, the district will not be commenting further on the specifics of the incident. She also thanked local police for their help in the matter.

“To our student body I want to be very clear. Making threats against an individual or our school family, is not only unacceptable, but also a felony in the State of Michigan that is punishable by up to 20 years in jail. If you are considering making a threat on social media, don’t,” she said.

“Thank you to everyone who came forward and shared information with the Ferndale Police Department. This situation could not have been so quickly resolved without your support. Together, we can keep our community safe,” Goodrum continued.