• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Crime / Courts / Johnston schools closed after text threats

Johnston schools closed after text threats

October 3, 2017 By Radio Iowa Contributor

Johnston High School

Classes will resume tomorrow in the Johnston Community School District after many parents in the Des Moines suburb received threatening text messages Monday night.

School was canceled today as a precaution, but Johnston Police Chief Dennis McDaniel now says it’s unlikely the threats are credible.

“At this time, we cannot substantiate any credible or imminent threats to any of our schools, students, parents or staff,” McDaniel said at a news conference late this morning. The texts, which came from a number with an 818 area code, threatened acts of violence at multiple Johnston schools.

“We believe it’s very likely that these messages will continue and it’s very likely they’ll come from a new number or a different series of numbers,” McDaniel said. He’s encouraging parents or anyone who receives the messages to report them to police.

“We’re encouraging the public not to engage someone should they receive this threat, not to banter back and forth with the individual, simply report it to law enforcement so that we may continue our investigation,” McDaniel said. When classes resume tomorrow (Wednesday) in Johnston, there will be an increased law enforcement presence. McDaniel said his department is working on the case with other law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, and they’ve contacted private cyber security experts.

(Thanks to Sarah Boden, Iowa Public Radio)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Education, News

Featured Stories

Iowa State Patrol tactical team leader killed in Grundy Center stand-off

Finalists chosen for the state’s top burger

Paintings by Clinton woman gain a following in Europe

Iowa deadline for individual income taxpayers moved to June 1

Dialing rules changing for two area codes in Iowa

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Drake elevates Pohlman to head women’s basketball coach

New title sponsor for Des Moines Marathon

Iowa State adds Minnesota transfer

Cedar Rapids preparing for big return of sports events

Iowa Games returning with full slate of sports

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2021 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC