Boardman police investigate, say retaliation threat rumor at high school not credible

Boardman police say the increased patrols at the Boardman High School are out of an abundance of caution after a lengthy investigation helped them determine rumors of a threat were unfounded. 

Boardman Police Chief Todd Werth tells 21 News that investigators became aware of rumors of a threat to the school Thursday evening. 

According to Werth, the rumors circulated potential retaliation efforts after a teen was arrested Wednesday, accused of bringing a gun onto a school bus and allegedly saying, "I'll shoot up the bus."

Werth said the department received calls from several concerned parents Thursday about the rumors. 

Upon investigation, detectives learned that the rumor had come from a student who claimed to have overheard two others discussing the possibility of retaliation. 

However, after reviewing surveillance video, Werth said they discovered the student couldn't have overheard anything. At that point, the student allegedly began "waffling" in her statement. 

Chief Werth says investigators determined the rumors were unfounded and the threat was not credible. 

However, the department decided that out of an abundance of caution they would have increased patrols at the school Friday. 

Also, an "all-call" was sent out to parents to let them know about the situation. 

Werth said that the school was never on lockdown. 

District officials echoed the sentiment that there was no credible threat and that extra officers were at the schools to make sure everyone felt safe.