Shooting threat at prep academy in Richfield sparks police response

Two written notes threatening a shooting at a public charter school in Richfield sparked a police response this week.

Carolyn Farrell, interim executive director of Seven Hills Preparatory Academy in Richfield, emailed parents to say the written threat was originally found inside a boys' middle school restroom on Tuesday around noon.

The Richfield Police Department was notified, and the school's cameras were reviewed to see who was coming and going from the fifth floor, where the restroom is located.

Students were asked to complete a writing sample and some lockers were searched. Extra staff were added to hallways and common areas and parents and guardians were notified about the incident that day.

According to the school, students were interviewed throughout Wednesday and Thursday before a student found an additional threat made Thursday morning on a Post-It note that referenced "a school shooting of Seven Hills," Farrell said.

Police were notified again and arrived on campus at about 10:40 a.m. Thursday. The school was placed on a hold, but remained open. Handwriting samples were continuing to be reviewed and further interviews with students were conducted, while police carried out extra patrols on the premises.

Farrell wrote the next steps for Friday include a search of all middle school lockers before students arrive, and additional staff and patrols will be on campus for the day. The school isn't in a modified lockdown on Friday.

"We understand this is a situation that conjures many negative thoughts and emotions for students, staff, and families and do not seek to minimize the threatening statements," Farrell wrote.

"At our School Board meeting tonight, the Administrative Team worked with the Board of Directors to agree upon the next part of our response. There was serious discussion and a unified decision to keep school open, listen to feedback from our community, and determine next steps to keep students and staff safe," the email read.

Parents are asked to check their child's backpack before they leave for school and have a conversation with them about what they know regarding the ongoing situation.

Bring Me The News reached out to the Richfield Police Department to follow up on any updates as of Friday and have not yet heard back.