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Threats received on social media at Weld County school at center of viral pinata story

Posted at 10:05 AM, May 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-08 19:50:18-04

JOHNSTOWN, Colo. – Threats made on social media have prompted Weld County school officials to cancel classes Monday at Roosevelt High School in Johnstown.

This action was taken just days after an unidentified teacher from the same Weld County school was placed on leave after photos of a controversial Cinco de Mayo event went viral.

The photos show President Donald Trump’s face placed on a piñata and a student with a bat in hand near the papier-mâché figure.

It’s not clear if the threats were related to the Cinco de Mayo incident. Officials have not released the nature of the threat. They were notified of the social media post early Monday morning and made the decision to cancel classes to ensure the safety of students.

"It is always my intent to keep our students safe," said Weld County RE-5J Superintendent Martin Foster.

In a statement, Foster said school officials and Johnstown Police are taking the threat very seriously and are pursuing prosecution. 

In addition to closing school, all afterschool activities at RHS (including games) have been canceled. All other schools in the district will remain open. Additional officers will be onsite when students return to classes Tuesday.


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