Superintendent details timeline of Junior High threats; District Attorney addresses school safety concerns

Guthrie Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson provided additional details Monday evening about two separate threats investigated at Guthrie Junior High last week, including the timeline of when parents were notified. Meanwhile, District Attorney Jeremiah Gregory issued a statement addressing recent school threats across Logan and Payne counties.

During his superintendent’s comments Monday evening at the scheduled Board of Education meeting, Simpson addressed the incidents that prompted investigations by the Guthrie Police Department and raised concerns among parents.

Simpson said school officials became aware of rumors involving two separate threats on Wednesday, October 7.

“In both cases, the Guthrie Police Department made contact with those identified in the threat and began investigating,” Simpson said.

The investigations continued Thursday morning, October 8. Simpson said school officials had gathered enough information by approximately 11 a.m. to communicate with all junior high parents.

He emphasized that the individuals identified in connection with the threats were not present at school during that time.

Following additional communication with Guthrie Police, the district sent a notification to parents by noon Thursday.

“At no time were students in danger,” Simpson said. “We will always share what facts we can as soon as we can, but the first priority will always be keeping our students and staff safe.”

The superintendent also addressed the situation from the perspective of a parent, noting that both of his children attend Guthrie Public Schools and that his son was inside the junior high building during the investigation.

“My son was in that building and was present, and I was not concerned for his safety either,” Simpson said.

He added that the district takes school safety seriously and personally and will continue prioritizing the protection of students and staff.

The incidents prompted a law enforcement response last week, with Guthrie Police later announcing the arrest of a juvenile on a complaint of committing a terrorism hoax in connection with a reported threat of gun violence.

School officials previously confirmed that the two threats were unrelated and that no gun was found on campus.

District Attorney Addresses Recent School Threats

In a separate statement released Monday, District Attorney Jeremiah Gregory addressed several recent school security incidents across Logan and Payne counties.

Gregory said his office has been working with law enforcement on multiple incidents over the past several weeks.

Although the threats occurred relatively close together, Gregory said the incidents appear to be unrelated.

He also sought to reassure parents that the reported threats had been addressed.

“While our local schools have been plagued by several security threats in the last few weeks, each of those incidents have been addressed and pose no ongoing danger at this time,” Gregory said.

The district attorney praised law enforcement agencies and school officials for their responses.

Gregory explained that his office cannot publicly discuss the individual cases in detail because of confidentiality requirements involving juveniles.

However, he emphasized that threats against schools and students are being treated seriously by prosecutors.

“But let me be clear – in my jurisdiction, criminal acts which jeopardize the security of our schools and the safety of our students are being prosecuted to the fullest extent the law allows, regardless of whether the perpetrators are adults or juveniles,” Gregory said.

Gregory also spoke as a parent of school-age children.

“As the father of school-age children myself, I want the parents of Logan and Payne Counties to know that nothing is of higher priority to me or my office than the safety of our kids,” he said.