East Lansing middle school to reopen Wednesday following social media threats

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Administrators of East Lansing Public Schools closed MacDonald Middle School Tuesday after receiving reports of social media posts with threats towards the school and its students.

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The social media posts appeared to have been written by an adult man late Monday. Authorities initially believed it was a parent who wrote the threats in response to the bullying of their son.

Superintendent Dori Leyko said the person had threatened “to follow students to and from school and to shoot up the school.”

Leyko announced Tuesday evening that the social media account was linked to the email address of a student at MacDonald Middle School, who they believe posed as a father seeking retaliation on students who bullied his son.

“Based on the information we have, we believe this story to be construed by the student and that no such situation existed,” Leyko said. “We are thankful that several individuals sent screenshots of these threats to trusted adults, school officials, OK2SAY and ELPD.”

The school district said the school will be open Wednesday and that the student believed to have been involved will not be at school “for an undetermined amount of time.”

Leyko said officials with East Lansing Public Schools and East Lansing Police Department are in communication with the student and their family.

“We take all threats to our school community very seriously and recognize the stress, fear and anxiety experienced by many of our students, staff and families as a result of this situation,” Leyko said. “Counselors and social workers will be available at school for students who would like to access support.”

The district said it appreciates the students and family members that reported the posts and provided information used in the investigation.

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