Here’s the latest on the situation at West Ottawa schools:
Multiple sources have confirmed that schools are currently under a shelter-in-place protocol following threats received on Friday morning.
Reports from WWMT indicate that West Ottawa High School received a threatening call around 9:30 a.m. The caller’s identity remains unknown, but a threat of violence was made. Additionally, Channel 3 reports that similar calls have been made to other school districts, although specific details are yet to be disclosed.
An anonymous source informed WKFR that the threat specified the presence of explosives and an AR-15, with one of the schools being the target. Nearby schools in Ottawa County, like Jenison, are also on standby to implement shelter-in-place procedures.
As of 11:00 a.m. Friday, there has been no update on when the lockdown is expected to be lifted. It’s worth noting that today was originally scheduled as a half-day for students. The timing of these threats coincides with the 25th anniversary of the tragic Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999.
Given recent events, such as the Oxford High School shooting in November 2021, authorities in Ottawa County, along with school administrators and resource officers, are treating these threats with utmost seriousness. In March 2024, the parents of the Oxford High School shooter were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison, underscoring the gravity of such threats and their potential consequences.