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Albany schools on alert after shooting threat
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ALBANY - The Albany School District entered partial lockdown Wednesday after a threat to students was made on social media.

Steve Guenther, superintendent for the Albany School District, said the threat was made on the social media app Yik Yak. Students who had seen the post brought it to the attention of district officials.

The threat warned of a possible shooting to take place Tuesday, May 24. Although the threat did not specify Albany schools, the date - May 24 is the last day of schools for Albany seniors - and the nature of Yik Yak - the threat was posted to the app's Albany message board - strongly suggested an Albany target.

Guenther said the school went into partial lockdown Wednesday, allowing Albany police and Green County Sheriff officers to search the school's lockers while students continued with classes. Although the threat specified a different day, he said a search could still reveal contraband.

"It's better to be safe than sorry," Guenther said.

Access to the school will be restricted and staff will search all articles brought into the building for the foreseeable future.

Law enforcement officials have requisitioned information to track potential suspects from Yik Yak and are pursuing multiple leads, Guenther said.

The threat wasn't likely connected to other threats made against the Monroe and Brodhead school districts this week, but could possibly have been inspired by them, Guenther said.