MONROE - Students found themselves on lockdown at Monroe Middle School Thursday, Nov. 10, after police were called about a potentially troubling incident. And police also were called to investigate after students reported some graffiti, characterized as a “bomb threat,” in a bathroom.

Police later determined the bomb threat was “not credible.” And while middle school students were on “soft lockdown” for a brief period, that too proved unfounded.

“The reason we went into a soft lockdown was there was a rumor, now confirmed to be inaccurate, that a former MMS student was either on school grounds or in the building,” Boehm said. 

As a result, police and administrators searched the building. Administrators did not elaborate on why the former student was such a potential threat.

“In the process of this search we were able to confirm with the family and with Monroe PD that the former student was at home asleep and not at or near MMS,” parents were told via email.

Principal Brian D. Boehm detailed a briefly chaotic situation, as rumors flew and parents inquired about both matters through various MMS channels. The bomb threat only added to the chaos.

“My apologies for the multiple emails today as this is far from typical…,” he said. “However, this afternoon it was reported by students that a bomb threat had been written on the bathroom wall on our second-floor boys room.”

Police were called and using the school’s camera system - specifically, a hallway camera - they were able to identify the suspect student seen entering the bathroom at around the time of the threat.

The student admitted his involvement and there were indeed “consequences,” officials said. And they praised the students who immediately reported the threats; and parents for their patience as both situations unfolded.

“As with the situation this morning and the lockdown the critical piece was students coming forward to alert adults at MMS. It is one of many strengths of our student body for which we are appreciative,” he said. “Again, there is no greater deterrent to the emergence of school safety issues than information provided by students.”

He added that parents should have conversations with kids about any concerns they have – such as things they are seeing on social media etc.