SALINA—Law enforcement authorities and USD 305 officials are investigating an alleged school threat.
After school was dismissed for the day on Thursday, police received information that a student made a statement to three other boys regarding "shooting up the school," according to a media release from Salina Police.
" The four boys were seen putting their hands together, seemingly indicating they were all in agreement to participate. "The statement and handshake were witnessed by another student who was alarmed and reported it to their parent."
Following an investigation, police arrested four Salina South students including 17-year-old Colten Penn; 16-year-old Kaydence Muchow, 16-year-old Derek Eustice and 15-year-old and Aidan Bingham.
Police booked them into juvenile detention on a requested charge of aggravated criminal threat, a person felony. "
School officials identified the four students after reviewing the video recording from the Salina South cafeteria. Detectives and the school resource officer established probable cause to make the arrests and request criminal threat charges.
"This is an example where a citizen's tip has led to the quick arrest of individuals involved in criminal acts at Salina South High School," Salina police said. "As a reminder, citizen tips are often instrumental in helping clear criminal cases."
Since the beginning of the school year, police have investigated at least 14 criminal threat cases at Salina middle and high schools.