Classes at MacDonald Proceed Despite Threat of Violence

MacDonald Middle School held classes Monday with an increased police presence on campus after a threat to “shoot up” the school was alleged to have been made over the weekend.

The threat, reported to police Saturday, is believed to have been made by a student who attends a different school district but authorities are still working to confirm the perpetrator’s identity, Superintendent Dori Leyko told parents in an email Sunday.

The threat was made during a group FaceTime call a MacDonald student was a part of. The student told their parent, who alerted ELPD. The parent then notified the school district Sunday morning, according to Leyko’s email.

ELPD Public Information Officer Capt. Adrian Ojerio told East Lansing Info via text Monday that the department is “aware of a person” who allegedly made the comment but declined further comment because an investigation is ongoing.

When Leyko contacted parents Sunday, she said authorities had not yet confirmed the identity of the person who made the threat.

“Our detectives are looking into the case,” Ojerio said. “All threats to any school are investigated and will be sent to the prosecutor’s office for review. Although at this time we believe this threat does not have a high level of credibility, we treat all threats of this nature very seriously. ELPD will continue to collaborate with the school district, and our patrol will be visible around the schools for the near future.”

When asked about the decision-making process involved in whether school will be closed after a threat like this, he said the department values its collaborative partnership with Leyko and directed questions to her.

Leyko has ignored multiple media requests from ELi, but did send an email on Monday afternoon to MMS parents, updating them of the situation. She said the phone number the threat emanated from had been identified and law enforcement has spoken with the family of the individual. She confirmed that the individual is not an ELPS student.

“We have also learned that the verbal threat was specific to Monday and did not explicitly name MacDonald Middle School,” Leyko said. “Instead, the statement referenced ‘your school,’ directed toward the students on the call. At this time, it is unclear whether the individual knew which school the students on the call attend.

“Based on the new information obtained today, and in consultation with law enforcement, we have determined that the threat is not credible.”

MacDonald Middle School parent Molly Szpunar said her son told her attendance in the middle school was down significantly Monday.

“He said it was ‘like a free day’ and they didn’t do anything in classes,” Szpunar said.

In her follow-up email on Monday, Leyko acknowledged that “attendance was greatly impacted today” but said the school day had been “safe and successful.”

Will Paddock, president of the East Lansing Education Association, told ELi in a statement on behalf of the teachers union that the administration worked diligently to investigate the threat and worked with the necessary parties to ensure staff and students were safe to return to school.

“While it can feel unsettling for teachers and families to have limited information as these investigations unfold, we appreciate that Superintendent Leyko and Principal [Amy] Martin were both present with staff this morning to provide additional information and answer questions,” the statement reads. “The additional presence of ELPD and other safety team members at school this morning and throughout the day was also noticed and appreciated.”