ALLENDALE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Less than an hour before classes were set to begin at Allendale High School on Monday, school staff discovered a threat of violence called into the school's office. That kicked off an investigation by the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office and the cancelation of classes.
WATCH: Violent threat made against Allendale High School, district cancels classes
According to a letter sent by the district, school staff found the threatening message while checking voicemails from over the weekend. By the time staff heard the message, many middle and high school students were already on buses headed to school.
Without time to verify if the threat could be carried out or whether the district's buildings were secure, school officials decided to send students home immediately.
The sheriff's office was alerted to the threat around 6:41 a.m. on January 12. Deputies began to look into the threat while also increasing their presence at the district's buildings to make sure there was no active danger to students and staff.
A K-9 unit from Grand Valley State University's Department of Public Safety assisted in searching some of the district's buildings.
Allendale wasn't alone in facing this challenge Monday morning. Investigators say several schools across Michigan received similar threatening messages recorded with a computer-generated voice. Other districts in Kent County, Alma, and the Saginaw area were also targeted, though some remained open.
Captain Jacob Sparks with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office says the threats appear to have been made without the ability to carry them out. Investigators are working to discover who made the messages.
"We'll continue to look into it see if we can find the source of the call. It's obviously a crime to place a hoax call like that. And what would go down as a quote prank can actually be a serious felony if we are able to identify the person who made the calls," Sparks said.
While a search of the building turned up empty, all Monday afternoon and evening activities at the school were canceled as the building remained in lockdown until Tuesday. Class is expected to be back in session on Tuesday with increased police presence to ensure student safety.
Anyone with information on the threat is asked to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office at (616) 738-4000. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (1-877-887-45368).
