Sgt. Brian Robinson said that police were alerted by the parents of a female student who is in the city’s school system but attends a different school.
“She goes to another school and she remembered that message we have been getting out, ‘If you see something, say something,’ and she did,” Robinson said. “She said something to her parents, and they called us right away and we started the investigation.”
A stressful week for schools
Butler County saw three school districts deal with alleged threats this week, including a lockdown at multiple schools in Midddletown. READ MORE on what happened this week »
The investigation determined that Barrett was solely responsible for making the social media threat and he was charged with aggravated menacing, a misdemeanor.
MORE: Middletown schools lockdowns over, student being questioned
“There were rumors about multiple students making these threats, but when it came down to it after interviewing people is that we arrested Barrett for making the threat,” Robinson said.
MORE: Hamilton promotes 'see something, say something' after school threats
He added that the use of a public resource officer has been effective in helping students learn about seeing something and then saying something because they have developed a comfortable relationship with the officer and feel more at ease with sharing information like in this case.
UPDATE @ 2:44 p.m.
Hamilton police say Hamilton student Cortlin Barrett, 19, was arrested for the alleged threat.
He is charged with aggravated menacing.
INITIAL REPORT
Hamilton police made an arrest Thursday night after it was discovered that students were making threats on social media to do harm at the high school.
Principal John Wilhelm updated parents via a phone message shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Friday on the situation and issued a statement explaining what happened.
“The threat occurred Thursday night through social media. We take all threats seriously and will continue to work together with the Hamilton Police Department to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” he said in his statement.
Parents were told via the phone call that police were able to “identify the students involved” in the social media threat and were able to take swift action.
“Through our collaboration with the Hamilton Police Department, administrators were able to identify the students involved and take swift action,” Wilhelm noted in his statement. “HPD has made an arrest and issued charges based on the results of the investigation. In addition to police action, we have initiated discipline to the fullest extent. Simply put, we will show zero tolerance for any threatening behavior.”
The school district’s Director of Communications, Joni Copas added, “we commend the student who notified the Hamilton Police Department and encourage everyone that if they see something, say something. We continue to work with our Hamilton Police and Fire Departments to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”
This news organization will update this story when more information becomes available.
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