Two Lakeville high schools were closed Wednesday after a chaotic Tuesday in which separate anonymous threats — one claiming firearms and explosives, another warning of a possible shooter — prompted police searches, including a K-9 search at Lakeville South, and sent students scrambling to a nearby church for safety.
The trouble started shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday, when someone used Lakeville Area Schools' anonymous reporting system to allege that firearms and explosives were hidden inside Lakeville South High School, according to Limitless Media News. The specific mention of weapons and explosives triggered emergency protocols immediately, and police K-9 units searched the building while students were evacuated off-site, with Hosanna Church serving as a reunification site.
Hours later, at roughly 12:15 p.m., a second and separate online threat targeted Lakeville North High School, this time warning of a potential shooter, as reported by FOX 9. That school was placed on lockdown while officers searched and cleared the building; students remained in class until normal release. Police determined an evacuation was not necessary at Lakeville North as they verified no weapons were actually on site.
District Cancels Classes To Regroup
District officials announced that classes at both high schools — Lakeville North and Lakeville South — were canceled Wednesday, giving staff time to prepare a safe and supportive environment for students returning after the lockdowns, per KARE 11. District officials confirmed that no physical injuries or violent acts occurred during either incident. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul also reported the closures, noting that both campuses were shut down Wednesday following the back-to-back threats.
It is not the first time the district has dealt with this exact scenario. On September 4, 2025, a juvenile male was arrested for making online threats against Lakeville South High School and McGuire Middle School through the same tip system, according to a Lakeville Police Department statement.
A Statewide Surge In School Threats
Tuesday's dual threats land amid a sharp statewide rise in school-related threat investigations. Data cited by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension show that Minnesota logged 72 school-related threat investigations in 2024, up from just 13 the year before, the same FOX 9 report notes. State officials attribute part of that jump to mandatory reporting laws now in place for the Minnesota Fusion Center.
Some of the recent surge has been tied to hoaxes rather than credible danger. Law enforcement officials across the state warned earlier this month about a viral social media trend, according to MinneapoliMedia News. Police caution that even hoax threats force full emergency responses and pull resources away from other calls.
Felony Charges Possible Under State Law
Whoever is behind Tuesday's threats could face serious legal consequences if identified. Under Minnesota Statute § 609.713, making threats of violence — including false claims of firearms or explosives meant to terrorize or disrupt a school — is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines, according to Groshek Law PA.
The state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension runs a Behavioral Threat Assessment Management team meant to evaluate early warning signs of violence before they escalate, though officials acknowledged in March that rising threat volumes are straining the program's resources, per CBS Minnesota. The goal of those teams is to intervene before someone moves from verbal threats to actual violence.
Other Minnesota School Closures
Some Minnesota districts canceled classes after online violent threats rattled the region.
Lakeville Area Schools faced a response involving its two high schools, Lakeville North and Lakeville South.
