Security tight at Winona school after gun threat

WINONA, Minn. – An online message purported that the Winona Middle School would be shot up. The school was alerted about 8:15 a.m. Police established a quick presence at the Homer Road campus as first busloads of students began arriving. Students were ushered inside and told to report directly to their assigned classrooms. The principal, Dave Anderson, cancelled outdoor activities. Parents were notified that absences would be excused if they kept children home. Jay Rasmussen, deputy police chief, said the threat had been making the rounds among Snapchat users overnight. A 13-yea-old boy told his mother about receiving the message from a 12-year-old who had received it from someone else. Whoever wrote the message originally was unclear, Rasmussen said. Police also established a presence across town at Winona High School. Meanwhile, investigators pursued security liaisons at Snapchat to trace the source. The original message not only threatened a shooting at the middle school but said that earlier shootings had been planned.

Verbatim

School message to parents: “This morning, we were alerted to a threat made against the middle school and high school on social media. The Winona Police Department is also aware and is investigating the incident. We will be following our established safety protocols and begin the school day in a “Secure,” which means students will be inside their classrooms learning as usual. There will be no outside visitors allowed in the building, and students will not be allowed outside for any activities. The Winona Police Department will be present as the investigation continues. Your child will be safe at school; however, if you choose to keep your child at home, it will be an excused absence. We will provide any updates as they are available.”