Lawrence High parents raise concerns about threat; it was actually aimed at Leavenworth

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A 19-year-old from Fort Leavenworth has been apprehended by military police in connection with an alleged threat aimed at Leavenworth High School that also reached Lawrence High School families, according to the Lawrence school district.

The Leavenworth Police Department learned of a social media post late Monday evening in which a person warned “LHS count yo days” and threatened to walk into the school “like John Wick,” referencing an assassin character in a series of films.

“The Leavenworth Police Department coordinated our efforts with the Fort Leavenworth Military Police and the matter remains under investigation,” Pat Kitchens, interim city manager and police chief for Leavenworth, wrote in a Facebook post. “There is no current threat to students or staff at Leavenworth High School. However, as a precaution the Police Department will have additional officers present at the school and throughout the day.”

Lawrence High parents and students had caught wind of the threat by Tuesday morning, though.

Principal Quentin Rials wrote a message to families to thank them for reporting the matter and inform them that Lawrence’s school resource officer had confirmed the suspect had been apprehended.

Julie Boyle, a spokesperson for the district, also wrote to families to “clarify that there are NO safety issues at Lawrence High School this morning,” and a phone call went out to parents.

“We understand that there has been some confusion regarding a threat investigation resolved last night involving Leavenworth High School,” Boyle wrote. “The Leavenworth Police Department identified the student responsible in that case, which has nothing to do with Lawrence High School or Lawrence Public Schools.”

Boyle asked families to “please continue to report any safety concerns to our schools so we may investigate them, or in this case, clear up any confusion to stop rumors from spreading.”

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