Berrien County schools urge continued discussion among families amid safety threats

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — A 16-year-old St. Joseph High School student is now facing a felony charge for making a terrorist threat.

The district said the boy confessed to making the threat, but also said he never planned to actually hurt anyone. 

He could get up to 20 years imprisonment if convicted of the felony charge.

“The individual is in custody, will remain in custody and is not returning to school, the individual is getting the support they need but is facing some significant charges,” said Superintendent Jennifer Fee.

It comes as a string of threats are emerging across Berrien County schools.

Last Friday, at both Watervliet and Coloma.

Then Tuesday, a second threat at Coloma.

Over at Lakeshore schools,  there have been six different security incidents this past week.

The most serious involving a toy gun.  

“A student decided to bring an air soft gun to school in his backpack, from what we understand he never took it out, but he showed it to some students on a bus,” said Greg Eding, Superintendent at Lakeshore Public Schools.

The district sent a letter to families informing them of other the three new incidents Wednesday. 

They said while all have been resolved, they want people to continue reporting anything suspicious.

“It’s definitely a good idea to get out front and communicate and be honest about situations so people know what’s going on,” said Eding. 

Both superintendents also mentioned the OK2Say tip line, a universal number students can call or text to report something without having to worry about their name being attached to it.