Plymouth: Four teenage girls charged with threatening “Columbine-like” attack on high school

Four teenage girls have been charged with posting threats on Facebook outlining a possible Columbine-style attack at Plymouth North High School.

Plymouth Police Chief Michael Boteri says they have filed charges in Plymouth District Court against a 14-year-old girl, two 15-year-old girls, and one 16-year-old girl–all students at Plymouth North High School. Two of the girls have been charged with threats to commit murder, creating threats that cause serious public alarm, and disrupting a school assembly. The other two face only charges of disrupting a school assembly. All four have been suspended from school.

The charges come as a result of an investigation that began on September 14th, after members of the Plymouth North High School administration reported that the girls were posting menacing messages on a Facebook wall.

Boteri wouldn’t reveal the exact content of the postings, but said they were very serious in nature and threatened the faculty and students at the school. After a full investigation and searches of the girls’ homes, Boteri says he’s convinced there is currently no danger at the school. But, he says, this is still a serious incident.

“We obviously can’t tolerate this kind of behavior, and we consistently work with the schools through safety meetings monthly during the school year, as well as lock-downs and ‘stay in place’ drills. So, we believe that helped us during this investigation to make sure everything was done safely and smoothly,” said Boteri.

Boteri says the girls will not be arrested, but will be summonsed to court to face the charges.