MANSFIELD, Ohio — Two students who attend Madison Middle School in Mansfield are now facing charges after they allegedly made threats to the school Tuesday night, according to the Richland County Sheriff's Office.
Officials say the two middle school students had a conversation on Tuesday about 'shooting up the school' on Wednesday.
An investigation into the incident was opened around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday after an individual reported that one of the students sent a text message with a gun emoji to another student telling them not to show up to school on Wednesday, officials said.
After the incident was reported, the Richland County Sheriff's Office was able to contact the families of the students who were believed to have made the threats. Deputies say both students admitted to making threats against the school. No other students were believed to have been involved in the incident.
Both students are currently being evaluated by medical professionals. Once they are cleared to be released, they will be taken to the Richland County Juvenile Attention Center.
"I also ensure you that these students will be dealt with by the school district with the most severe consequences possible," Madison Local School District Superintendent Rob Peterson added in a post on Facebook.
Peterson added that the district has requested additional help from the Richland County Sheriff's Office for the remainder of this week, "out of an abundance of caution.
You can read Peterson's message to the Madison Local Schools community below:
"I would like to thank you all for your cooperation and support regarding last night’s incident. School safety is of the utmost concern to Madison Local Schools, and I greatly appreciate the cooperation between those who reported the incident, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, and the district. I want to reiterate that the students involved are in custody and will be dealt with by the school district with the most severe consequences possible. Out of abundance of caution, the district has continued to request additional Richland County Sheriff’s Office presence within the district. Please know that it is safe to send your child to school Thursday and moving forward. Thank you for your understanding in this matter."