A social media post by a student at Pennbrook Middle School lead to an investigation by the Upper Gwynedd Township Police Department on Thursday afternoon.
According to an email sent out by Pennbrook Middle School Principal Dr. Tomorrow Jenkins, school officials were alerted to the social media post via the Safe to Say Something program. Jenkins described the post as “concerning,” and stated that it showed a student in possession of a weapon.
Upper Gwynedd Township Police Chief David Duffy told North Penn Now that police were alerted to the social media post at 12:44 p.m. on Thursday, and the student was identified as a 14-year-old male who is in 8th grade. In the social media post, the student is reportedly handling what appears to be a shotgun, but Duffy pointed out that the video was taken in Ohio—where the weapon remains—and added that the investigation revealed that the student currently does not have access to any weapons.
Duffy told North Penn Now that no charges will be filed against the student.
“No charges are warranted, so no charges were filed,” said Duffy. “The matter is being remedied between the parents and school district. The student and his parent did fully cooperate with police.”
Duffy added that police appreciate timely notifications of any concerns, and if in doubt of who to call, dial 9-1-1 even if it’s not an emergency.
Following the initial investigation, Principal Jenkins sent an email to parents notifying them of the investigation. The email reads, in full:
Dear Pennbrook Families,
The safety of our students is of utmost importance, as is communicating with our families so that they have accurate and timely information. Through the Safe to Say Something program, NPSD administration learned of a concerning social media post by a student who was in possession of a weapon. I feel it is important to address this issue with all families, whether you have heard this rumor or not, and assure you that we immediately reported the situation to the police who investigated it and found there to be no credible threat to the school.
I specifically want to thank and commend those students who came forward with concerns. A safe learning environment has always been and will always remain the number one priority at Pennbrook Middle School. To maintain this, we have to work together.Please continue to encourage your children to come forward with their concerns about potential school safety matters.
Your children are in a safe environment. I want you to feel confident that we are doing everything possible to maintain this safety. And by keeping the lines of communication open, we hope to improve an already good system.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tomorrow Jenkins
Principal
Pennbrook Middle School
The incident comes one week after parents at Pennfield Middle School launched a petition questioning North Penn School District’s handling of an 8th grade student who allegedly made threats against the school on multiple occasions, including the alleged creation of a list of students commonly referred to as a “hit list” or “kill list.”
In that incident, Hatfield Township Police Chief William Tierney told North Penn Now that he could not go into specifics about the Change.org petition, but he did confirm that an incident was reported to police on Dec. 15.
“[The incident] was dealt with immediately, and appropriate action was taken,” said Tierney.
In response to the petition, North Penn School District issued an official statement (read here), and North Penn School Board Director Jonathan Kassa, who also serves as chairman of the Safe Schools Committee, said that he believes the district handled the incident “promptly and effectively.”
In regards to the Pennbrook Middle School incident on Thursday, Kassa said the following:
The prompt and thorough response today is another example of the multiple community and district partners needed for successful proactive school safety efforts. We are grateful to the students, police, security and school leadership that demonstrate such a commitment to safe and secure schools.
Kassa added that he welcomes any parent with concerns about school safety—be it a specific incident, or a more global view of safety within the district—to attend the upcoming Safe Schools meeting, scheduled for Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Educational Services Center located at 401 E. Hancock Street in Lansdale.
See also:
Police, School District Officials Respond To Petition Questioning School Safety
Cosplay Causes Consternation, School Lockout In Hatfield
Student Charged After Threatening To ‘Shoot Up’ Penndale Middle School
One Student Charged in Penndale Lockdown, Investigation Continues
Penndale Middle School Locked Down Tuesday, Three BB Guns Found (UPDATED)
