On Oct. 9, a verbal threat was made by a student of Carbon High School (CHS). Due to this threat, the CHS School Resource Officer began an investigation, resulting in the school taking disciplinary action.
The student was removed from the school and was informed they were not allowed back for at least 10 days. According to the Carbon School District (CSD), false information began circulating the following evening on social media platforms, causing a state of alarm. Due to these concerns being brought to the CSD’s attention, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) was contacted in order to investigate the new information being posted online.
“The sheriff’s department did an excellent job of thoroughly investigating,” CSD Superintendent Lance Hatch stated.
The superintendent stated that the CCSO went so far as to search the residence of the student in question. As the CCSO was already planning to be in attendance at the school’s anti-bullying assembly, Carbon County Sheriff Jeff Wood volunteered to station some of his officers before and after the assembly for extra police presence on a weary day.
“We certainly appreciate that support on any day,” Supt. Hatch stated.
In the meantime, the CSD followed up on every lead that was encountered, leading to such rumors as there being hit list with many students sharing that they knew of the list. Nobody could be found that had actually viewed the list or could produce one.
No student came to school with a gun or any weapon of any kind. According to Sheriff Wood, student safety is not at risk, though they take all threats seriously. Supt. Hatch concluded by stating that there are many other unsubstantiated rumors. Everything beyond what was aforementioned regarding the incident is believed to fall within the category of a rumor.