Mother Who Reported Western Heights School Threat Speaks Out

Rhonda Murillo took one last scroll through her Facebook feed before going to bed. But a status update from a friend of her son alarmed her.

Tuesday, January 13th 2015, 6:31 pm

By: News 9


A 16 year old is in jail Tuesday night after police say she made threats on social media against school security and faculty.

Classes carried on as scheduled Tuesday, but many parents pulled their kids out of school following the threats.

A Western Heights parent found the post early Tuesday morning on Facebook. Without hesitation she alerted school officials and by lunch police arrested the girl in question.

Rhonda Murillo took one last scroll through her Facebook feed before going to bed. But a status update from a friend of her son alarmed her.

“I spotted one of the students at the school had posted on his Facebook that there was a girl that was making threats to shoot at the school, 'shoot some things up at the school',” said Murillo.

Immediately Murillo sent a message to a few teachers alerting them of the post.

A post saying in part, "I'm shooting the security guards and the teacher tmmrw."

1/13/2015 Related Story: Teen Arrested For Making threat Against Western Heights Faculty, Security Officers

"There are so many things that have happened, you know, around the world. You never know whether to take it seriously or not," the mother said.

“We took the threat seriously. We called the police. We were working and cooperating with the police department trying to find out everything we could,” said Brayden Savage with Western Height Public Schools.

By 7 a.m., Oklahoma City Police were in front of the high school, extra security was brought in for all Western Heights schools, and all students went through metal detectors. Following an automated call sent out by the district Tuesday morning, many parents, like Murillo, chose to keep their kids home from school.

“[I sent my son] to school but something didn't feel right in my heart so I called him and I said son are you on the bus? And he said no, not yet. And I said come back home,” said Murillo.

Tuesday afternoon police arrested a 16-year-old former Western Heights High student for making the threat.

“I honestly hope that the young woman knows the seriousness of what she's done,” said Murillo.

On Wednesday, students will still be screened through metal detectors and a few extra security guards will be on campuses.

That 16-year-old student is now facing several charges including making threats. Right now she is in the Oklahoma County Juvenile Detention Center.

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