A suspicious writing on the wall of a student restroom at Chardon Middle School ended the day early for students Tuesday.
At 1:35 p.m., school officials alerted Chardon Police School Resource Officer Mike Shaw that someone had written “I have a bomb” on the bathroom wall.
The student who discovered the message informed a teacher and the school was immediately evacuated, Chardon Police Chief Scott Niehus said in a press release issued Tuesday.
Chardon police and fire department personnel as well as Geauga County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the school and assisted school staff members in moving students to alternative locations where they were subsequently dismissed for the day, Niehus said.
Although the threat was not believed to be credible, a sheriff’s office explosives detection K-9 thoroughly searched the middle school to ensure the building was safe.
“In today’s social environment, all threats made against a school or public place are taken very seriously, ” Niehus said. “The safety of our children and our community are our top priority.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing and officers are working to identify the person or persons responsible, the chief added.
Niehus said officers will be at the middle school when school resumes on Wednesday in order to reassure students they are safe.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Chardon Police Department at 440-286-6123.