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Threatening social media posts by Kansas City middle schooler deemed ‘non-credible' by police

Posted at 6:01 PM, Aug 31, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-01 23:32:49-04

Investigating multiple disturbing Instagram posts, seemingly idolizing the Columbine High School shooters and a threat to "shoot up my high school.”

The North Kansas City School District said police "do not currently view this as a credible threat" by the user, a Maple Park Middle School 7th-grader.

A concerned parent alerted the school district to the posts, which included a back to school shopping list containing weapons, a duffel bag and a trench coat.

Courtesy Instagram

The district confirmed the student has been suspended before, but declined to provide details.

Some Maple Park parents kept their kids out of school Wednesday because of the threat.

"Everybody is nervous about it, it’s not just me. Other parents are concerned that this may turn into another school shooting,” said one parent who wished to remain anonymous.

The school district hasn't disciplined the student at this time but said counselors are working with him and his family.

“It can’t just be swept under the rug," said the Maple Park parent. "This kid has made threats before; he was suspended. I don’t feel safe with him at the school with my kid. A lot of parents don’t.”

Enid Crawford told 41 Action News her son was in a fight with the student behind the violent posts. 

"The principal called and said there was an incident and that there were posts made," Crawford said. "And I didn't know at the time it was child that got in a fight with my son.”

Crawford said the student punched her son earlier this week. Her son fought back and both were suspended. 

She's worried about sending her son back to class on Friday. 

"My concern is there should have been other action taken place, especially because he made graphic detail of threatening the kids at the school," Crawford explained. 

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Brian Abel can be reached at brian.abel@kshb.com. 

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