Student taken into custody after report of threats at Oak Creek West Middle School

OAK CREEK -- The principal of Oak Creek West Middle School on Wednesday, Feb. 21 issued a message to parents amid an investigation into "verbal threats" made by a student. Police said they were threats to cause harm to those at Oak Creek West Middle School.

According to the letter to parents, school administrators were contacted by a student regarding these threats on Wednesday, and an investigation began "immediately," with police involved. Principal Megan Arens said in the letter "appropriate disciplinary and legal steps have been taken and the student was referred for further assessments."

Based on the investigation, it is not believed any students were in immediate danger. "Even so, everyone must be accountable for their words," Principal Arens said.

Oak Creek police said the student was taken into custody without incident. Police said they're preparing charges for review at the juvenile level.

Police noted that there is no longer a threat to the safety and well-being of students in the school district.

Principal Arens said in the week since the Florida school shooting that took the lives of 17, "emotions continue to run high."

She said school district administrators "are committed to always taking the most expedient and appropriate steps in cooperation with the Oak Creek Police to ensure student safety."

She asked that parents discuss with students that even making jokes about threats can have "terrible consequences," and also, that students should tell an adult immediately if they ever hear or see anything that is inappropriate in any way.

All students in Oak Creek-Franklin School District have access to an online resource called  STOPit. STOPit can be used by students to report incidents to school contacts anonymously. It can also be used to engage in anonymous two-way communication with school officials.