Community reacts to recent school threats across Tri-State

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) –Owensboro High School took extra precautions at tonight’s game against Owensboro Catholic after a social media threat and arrest.

“We need to take extra precautions by police officers being here,” says Lance Lewis, an Owensboro Catholic fan.

The game went on without a hitch, with help from the Owensboro Police Department. OPD says they arrested Israel Swanagan, a cornerback and wide receiver for Owensboro High School this afternoon. He’s charged with terroristic threatening after police say he posted a Snapchat that there could be a shooting after tonight’s game.

“I think it is just an unfortunate situation,” says Lewis.

The arrest comes after social media threats plagued schools nationwide, including the Tri-State. It’s important to note that police deemed these threats as not credible. In Henderson, police say schools received three different threats this week, sparking fear in students and parents.

“I wrote my phone number down on a piece of paper and gave it to her and I told her if you feel unsafe, call me and I will get you,” says Amber Jones, a parent of students in Henderson County Schools.

Jones has two kids who attend schools in Henderson County. One is at East Heights Elementary School. The other is a sixth grader at North Middle School. Jones says her daughter is terrified.

“She says she was scared to death because the school has a bunch of windows. She was like if someone were to shoot through those windows, we wouldn’t even know. And at first, I was like we don’t need to talk about this, then I was like we do need to have this conversation. She says she was terrified and was constantly looking out the windows,” says Jones.

Jones says she understands the schools have a lot of students and staff to look after, but thinks schools should be doing more to keep students safe.

“She says they have not even done a drill. They’ve talked about it, but they have not done an actual drill on what to do,” Jones says.

Jones says several parents are frustrated with the way the schools let them know about the threat.

“Whenever your kids get on or off the bus and then you get a warning at like 8, after attendance is taken. And they tell you there was a threat and they knew the night before, that is what anchored all of this.” Jones says.

Jones says she plans to attend the next school board meeting to voice her concerns. We reached out to Henderson County Schools about the concerns. We have not heard back.

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