A juvenile suspect has been identified by law enforcement after allegedly making violent threats to two schools in Van Buren County. Calls made around noon yesterday claimed there would be violence at both Paw Paw and Mattawan schools, initiating lockdown procedures.
WOODTV reported that the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office along with the Mattawan Police Department ensured immediate, and overwhelming response to the threats. The source of both threats was traced back to the same individual. The suspect, who is not a student at either of the targeted schools, was taken into custody and admitted to making the threatening calls.
Authorities learned that the threats extended beyond Michigan. As reported by WOODTV, the same juvenile also made similar threats to a school in Mississippi, which has prompted collaboration between Van Buren County Sheriff's office and Mississippi police.
The Van Buren County Sheriff, Daniel E. Abbott, in a news release obtained by Van Buren County, stated that the investigation began promptly after the complaint was raised. The schools were secured by deputies including, the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office School Resource Deputies. The juvenile suspect has since been interviewed and admitted to making the menacing calls.
Following the conclusion of the investigation, the Van Buren County Prosecutor's Office will review the case to decide on filing any charges against the young suspect. Despite the distressing nature of the incident, no harm materialized from the threats as they were deemed unsubstantiated, allowing for the eventual lifting of the lockdowns.
