WINONA, Minn. – Police stationed an officer at the Winona Middle School after a story made the rounds on the Snapchat site that the school would be “shot up.” Police learned of the threat the night before from the parent of student who saw it on Snapchat. They traced the Snapchat message to another student, who claimed overhearing it from yet another student. Police talked to the father who said that there was no gun in the home and that his son, age 11, had no access to a firearm. The boy was asleep for the night, so police delayed interviewing him until morning and told the father to keep the boy home for the day. Meanwhile, police and school officials concurred the threat was without merit. Classes began as usual in the morning, albeit a police squad car parked outside and an officer in the school.
School profile
The Winona Middle School is at 1570 Homer Road. Enrollment 650. Grades 5 to 8.