Brandon Twp.- On Tuesday, school officials, along with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, identified a suspect and are seeking a warrant package in connection with a threat of violence at Brandon High School on Thursday, April 26.
A bomb threat received at the high school at approximately 12:30 p.m. forced the evacuation of the school. The individual, a female student, was suspended and released to her parents pending further investigation. The case has been turned over to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office.
‘The individual was upset and reacted with a threat,? said Arnie Terrell, Oakland County Sheriff’s Detective and Brandon Schools liaison officer. ‘The threat was written in pencil on a girl’s bathroom wall at the high school and reported to school officials.?
Terrell said handwriting analysis was used to identify the suspect following a search and assessment of many students? homework and class assignments.
‘I started with the students that were in some sort of trouble in the month of March and April,? said Terrell, who is trained in handwriting analysis. ‘We narrowed it down and made a match on specific letters. Basically, if they write it, we will find it. This is a very serious issue.?
School officials immediately locked down the school on Thursday after the message was found. Shortly thereafter, students were bussed home or to Brandon Middle School. Others used their own transportation to leave the campus.
Multiple K-9 units from OCSO and other assisting agencies cleared the school by 3:30 p.m. and the Ortonville Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo continued as planned that evening. School was reopened the next day with extra security.
Tom Miller, Brandon superintendent, praised the staff and students of the high school for their rapid response and search of the building.
‘The safety of our students and staff is at stake here,? said Miller. ‘The district will pursue the maximum punishment allowed under both the district policy and the law. The district will not tolerate actions that disrupt the academic process in any way.?