It seems as if Oklahoma has faced a rash of threats of school violence in recent weeks:

  • Norman North High School, October 5 - A student discovered a threatening message in a bathroom stall. 
  • Norman North High School, October 6 - Officials discovered a second message in a bathroom stall, but determined it to be a "copycat" message and not a credible threat.
  • Moore High School, October 6 - School officials discovered a "vague threat." Administrators believe the message at Moore High School was a copycat act by a student who saw news of the Norman North threat, and determined it was not a credible threat.
  • Noble High School, October 13 - School officials cancelled classes and activities a day before the district was scheduled for Fall Break after receiving a threatening note that indicated an act of violence would take place on October 14.
  • Piedmont High School, November 18 - Students told school administrators that another student was making threatening remarks and referencing December 14, the anniversary of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Administrators first told parents that the investigation turned up only rumor; however, after school that day, another student came forward claiming that he or she heard the threat first-hand. Police have determined that the student did make the alleged threat, and they turned the results of their investigation over to the Canadian County District Attorney.
  • Mustang High School, November 20 - A Kik user sent a threatening message to a Mustang High School student before escalating the threat to include the entire school.
  • Copan Public Schools, November 23 - Police arrested a man who sent an email threatening to commit a mass shooting at Copan Public Schools at 9:00 a.m. the following morning. Copan schools are not in session this week.

Whether or not those who threatened school violence had any intention or capability of making good on those threats, police and school officials have to take every threat seriously. 

You may remember that in March, Edmond police thwarted a "mass-casualty" event at Edmond North High School after police found school blueprints and "bomb-like devices" at the home of a teen who threatened the school.  

And on December 14, 2012, only a few short hours before Adam Lanza opened fire on teachers and students at Sandy Hook, Bartlesville police arrested 18-year-old Sammie Eaglebear Chavez. He was ultimately convicted of planning to perform an act of violence intended to result in serious bodily injury or death. Although the crime is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison, Chavez was sentenced to 30 months.

There are a number of ways a person may be charged for threatening an act of violence. Most commonly, these threats are prosecuted according to 21 O.S. § 1378: Planning or threatening a violent act. Under this statute, the mere threat of violence is punishable by six months in jail. Any actual plan, attempt, or development of a scheme to commit an act of violence is a felony punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison.