Officials: Pocatello 6th grader threatened violence at school during prank call

The following is a news release from the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District. Photo: Google

POCATELLO — The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District called a districtwide controlled access today.

Early this morning Alameda Middle School received a phone call from a juvenile male threatening violence at a school today. The school and Lewis & Clark Elementary school, which is in close proximity to Alameda, was placed in controlled access and the Police Department was immediately notified. Ensuring student safety is always the first priority of staff.

In the early stages of the event it was miscommunicated that a disturbance in the neighborhood caused the controlled access. As the investigation unfolded all police recommended that all schools be place in controlled access. The District sent a notification to all parents of a threat to a school and initiated controlled access for all schools.

Police investigation revealed that a 6th grade student made a prank call and threatened violence at a school. The phone number was captured by district staff and traced to the student who was immediately detained and interviewed. It was determined that the student, along with other students, had been making prank phone calls to businesses and individuals previously and decided it would be funny to call one in to a school.

The controlled access was lifted once the police determined the person they had detained was responsible for the threat, and invalidated the threat.

During a controlled access students and staff continue their normal instructional schedule. Doors are monitored by staff to ensure anyone entering schools have a valid reason for being at the school. Parents are notified when controlled access are initiated.