15-year-old girl arrested in connection with text message shooting threat against Monroe County school

WHITEFORD TWP. (WWJ) -- An investigation is underway in Monroe County, following the arrest of a 15-year-old student who allegedly threatened to shoot up a school.

Monroe County Sheriff's investigators say a 15-year-old girl from Temperance was taken into custody over the weekend.

The arrest came after authorities were alerted to the threat by concerned parents, who reached out to administrators at the Whiteford Agricultural Schools, located in Whiteford Township.

Officials said a threat of gun violence was made through a group text message chat involving students at the school, with the shooting allegedly planned for Monday.

The sheriff's office said a small caliber bolt-action rifle was seized from the teen's home, and that she is being held at the Monroe County Youth Center, as the investigation continues.

As a precaution, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said it would provide additional deputies at the school on Monday.

This threat comes just a few days after a mass shooting in Georgia, where a student brought a high-powered firearm to school and shot 13 people , killing two students and two teachers. The alleged shooter, 14-year-old Colt Gray, is facing murder charges, along with his father who allegedly bought him the AR 15-style rifle he used.