UPDATE (12:29 p.m.) - Atascadero police say they received word of a potentially threatening social media post made by an Atascadero High School student at about 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
The post was reportedly made on Snapchat and showed the student racking a shotgun.
While police investigated, school officials decided to shut down the school prior to the start of Thursday's classes.
Once police identified the student, they say San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's deputies contacted the juvenile and their parent. Police say deputies confirmed the weapon was secure and no longer accessible to the juvenile.
According to police, it was determined that the initial Snapchat post was made to a specific individual and was not intended to be a threat against the school; however, the post was shared amongst friends and continued to spread.
"There has not been a direct threat to the school, and this incident is isolated between two students," police said in a press release issued Thursday afternoon.
Police say their investigation into the incident is ongoing and any potential charges will be submitted to the district attorney's office for review.
"The School District will be pursuing the strongest legal and educational consequences for the individuals who committed these threats," Atascadero Unified School District Superintendent Tom Butler said in a statement.
School officials said the high school would remain closed for the rest of the day Thursday, but they plan to reopen Friday and "are fully prepared to support our students and staff."
Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Atascadero Police Department at (805) 461-5051.
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(9:18 a.m.) - Atascadero High School was closed Thursday morning due to a threat.
A note that went out to parents and staff from the Atascadero Unified District’s superintendent, Tom Butler, said they were made aware of the threat Thursday morning and could possibly have a delayed start to the school day.
The note says law enforcement responded to investigate and that the school will be closed until the situation is fully resolved “ensuring school safety.”
Butler thanked the community member who reported the incident adding that “the District will be pursuing the full legal and educational consequence to whomever is responsible.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
