Columbian High School closed Thursday due to threat; juvenile suspect in custody

TIFFIN – Columbian High School was closed Thursday due to a threatening message on social media.

According to Tiffin Local Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Zalar, the message was received by a school employee early Thursday morning. Dr. Zalar said, “Because of the timing of the message the district and local authorities were unable to investigate the threat thoroughly prior to the start of the school day. Therefore, I decided to close Columbian High School out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety of our students and staff.”

A 14-year-old male suspect has been identified and is in custody, the Tiffin Police Department announced late Thursday morning. According to the police department, charges are still pending.

Columbian High School is planned to operate as usual on Friday.

Fremont, Norwalk, and Oak Harbor police all put out statements Thursday about school threats. All three schools said that, due to a national trend in bomb and shooting threats for Friday, there will be an increased presence in their districts’ schools on Friday. All three departments also said that no threats have been made to their districts.