After school shooting threat, Tecumseh students to return to new security rules

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A week after a student threatened a shooting at Tecumseh High School, students are heading back to class Monday under newly announced safety measures.

Clear backpacks, locked doors, and bag searches are just a few of the changes high school students will encounter.

They’ll also see law enforcement on-site.

“We’re going to have several deputies in the area just to give parents and students some assurance that we’re there for a happy transition back from fall break,” said Capt. Jared Strand with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office.

Last week, police arrested a student over a social media post that threatened to shoot people at Tecumseh High School.

That post included a photo of a student holding what turned out to be a BB gun in a school bathroom.

In the days that followed, more photos surfaced showing other students with guns on campus.

Then came more online threats toward other Tecumseh schools.

Police later determined those additional threats were bogus.

Out of caution, Tecumseh Public Schools dismissed students early for fall break and surveyed parents about new safety measures.

On Friday, the district released a letter outlining new protocols that will take effect Monday:

• All students will receive clear backpacks, free of charge
• High schoolers will enter through a single access point, where bags may be searched
• All other doors will remain locked
• Backpacks will not be allowed in bathrooms
• An armed officer and a K-9 trained to detect guns and explosives will sweep the building each morning
• Tecumseh Police and the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office will have extra officers present at all Tecumseh schools throughout the week

“We’re also looking at our rural schools that do not have any school resource officers assigned and trying to enhance security protocols there as well,” Strand said. “The students’ safety is our top priority. And we want to make sure that parents feel safe sending their children to school so they can get their education and not have to worry about what’s going to happen to their children while they are getting that education,” he said.

District leaders say they’re also considering permanent long-term measures—like using metal detector wands or installing permanent metal detectors.