2 students face charges over alleged threats to Colorado Springs-area schools
Multiple local law enforcement agencies responded to several online threats being made against Colorado Springs-area schools Wednesday, and two local students face charges over false threats, officials said.
The two students are from two separate local schools and are facing charges for their “participation in spreading false information regarding threats to schools locally and nationwide,” according to an El Paso County Sheriff’s Office news release.
One student faces charges involving alleged interference of an educational institution, and the other faces charges for alleged false reporting and the interference of an educational institution. Their names were not released Wednesday because they are minors.
The investigation stemmed from information received by the Sheriff’s Office over threats against school staff and students in multiple school districts.
“School safety is a high priority for my office, and our commitment towards this mission extends beyond the hard work and dedication of our (school resource officers),” said Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “It is something at the forefront of the mind of every individual working in law enforcement.”
Earlier Wednesday, Colorado Springs police reported investigating the “nonspecific” threats to area schools and confirmed through social media that there was no credible threat.
According to the department, the threats were circulating in the community, largely through social media channels. The department said certain threats originate from outside of Colorado, police said.
After further investigation, the department determined that there was “no credible threat to any school or school districts in Colorado Springs.”
“We closely monitor and investigate posts like these to determine their credibility and take immediate action on verified threats as they may arise,” the Police Department post read Wednesday afternoon.
Unspecified threats to schools on social media are not new to Colorado Springs-area schools. In August 2023, Academy District 20 officials deemed social media threats against Liberty High School as “not credible.”
