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Rumors of ‘Columbine-style' attack at Telluride HS false, sheriff says

Classes will resume as scheduled Tuesday
Posted at 11:13 AM, Nov 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-27 19:15:35-05

TELLURIDE, Colo. – Telluride High School was closed Monday following a number of posts on social media that referenced plans for a shooting similar to what took place at Columbine High School.

However, a full sweep of the exterior and interior of Telluride public schools came up empty. The San Miguel County Sheriff's Office tweeted "NOTHING of note found. Rumors of guns or explosives found at school are FALSE." Classes will resume as scheduled Tuesday with added law enforcement present, the sheriff's office said.

The Telluride Marshal’s Department said a student notified a staff member about one of the threats around 3 p.m. Sunday and the school immediately contacted law enforcement.

The threat was posted on the Snapchat app and referenced a "Columbine-style" shooting that would take place at the school on Monday, deputies said.

Later that day, deputies learned of another threat posted on Snapchat that referred to explosives planted around that school that were set to detonate on Monday, which prompted officials to close the school for the day.

One student was taken into custody in connection with the threat and law enforcement confiscated a rifle and a handgun from the student’s home. The student is believed to be the author of the second threat referencing explosives. The author of the first threat referencing a “Columbine-style” shooting is not yet known.

Investigators have completed interviews with six students, and at least three more are pending in connection with threats, according to sheriff's spokesperson Susan Lily. Nothing in the interviews indicated any ongoing threat to THS campus or students, she added.

“We take these threats seriously, and our investigation will be efficient and thorough,” Chief Marshal James Kolar said.

The Telluride Marshal’s Department is investigating with the assistance of the San Miguel Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Village Police Department, Telluride Fire Protection District, the Grand Junction Office of the FBI and the Telluride School District.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to call the Telluride Marshal’s Office at 970-728-3818.