For Immediate Release

September 23, 2019

PROSECUTOR ERIC SMITH CHARGES YOUTH FOR SCHOOL THREATS

MOUNT CLEMENS, MI — Last week, a female middle school student called-in bomb threats to two local Middle Schools. Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith authorized a charge of False Bomb Threat, a four-year felony, against the suspect.

Police and prosecutors allege, on Wednesday, September 18, at 1:18 PM, the suspect called L’Anse Creuse Middle School East from her home in Chesterfield Township, stating there were multiple bombs around the school. She utilized the Textnow app to disguise her real phone number, and attempted to deepen her voice to sound like a man. She called the school back at 1:52 PM, and screamed into the phone that bombs were around the building.

During the same afternoon, the suspect also used the Textnow app to call Roseville Middle School at 1:37 PM, stating “There are bombs placed all around your school.” She called the school back at 1:48 PM, stating, “You have 30 minutes,” and hung up.

Michigan State Police, Roseville Police Department, and Macomb County Sheriff’s Department K9 units preformed exhaustive searches of L’Anse Creuse Middle School East and Roseville Middle School, respectively, and found no evidence of bombs on either school property.

The suspect commented that she made the calls as a “copy-cat” of the Melvindale School threats. She stated her friend had dared her to make the calls, and was on the other line when the calls were made. The two students were not in school on September 18, 2019, due to prior suspensions.

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith stated, “We commend the school staff members, student bodies, and various law enforcement agencies for acting in such a swift, professional manner under these incredibly stressful circumstances.” Roseville, Chesterfield, and Michigan State Police Departments, along with the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, all participated in this investigation.

“As I have stressed time and time again, my office will remain vigilant, never underplaying the serious nature of such threats. Our children’s lives depend on it,” continued Smith.