Dakota High School Put on Lockdown After Anonymous Gun Threat

Dakota High School went into lockdown Tuesday afternoon after a threat was discovered on the wall of one of the school's bathrooms, Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said.

Wickersham said the message was discovered in one of the girl's bathrooms and contained the words, "Bang, Bang," next to the drawing of a gun. Chippewa Valley Schools Community Relations Director Diane Blain added the drawing also contained a specific date and time.

Blain said the school’s security plan was implemented immediatately upon learning of the threat.

Macomb County sheriff's officers and K9 units responded to the school shortly after 1 p.m. and students were locked in their classrooms as law enforcement conducted a search.

“The threat was found to be false, but any time we find something like that we are going to take it seriously,” Blain added.

The lockdown was lifted at the end of the school day and students were dismissed at their regular time.

Chippewa Valley administrators will continue investigating the threat. If the writer is identified, he or she could face disciplinary action or permanent expulsion, Blain said.

“We take these threats very seriously,” Blain reiterated. “I believe administrators at Dakota are going to take time to let students know the seriousness and the consequences they could face from placing a threat like this.”

Blain said she anticipates tomorrow will be a regular school day, although enhanced security measures will remain in place for all Chippewa Valley schools this week.