A 16-year-old student is facing a felony charge after police said they made threats against Hilliard Darby High School.
Staff at the school alerted Hilliard Police that the student had attempted to purchase a gun and made threats toward the school.
Hilliard Police, along with cooperation from the school staff, were able to detain the suspect and investigate the allegation.
According to the police affidavit, the boy attempted to purchase a gun and stated he was going to “(expletive) the school up, seriously."
"It's our belief he intended to use a gun and shoot someone at the school,” Hilliard Police Chief Robert Fisher said. “There was another student who the threat was directed to but it was also to the school in general.”
Police say the 16-year-old sophomore at Hilliard Darby High School told another student, “that his grandfather might have weapons and gasoline that he could use."
"There were numerous students who had knowledge of these threats and were concerned about the possibility that something may be carried out," Chief Fisher said.
Police say one of the students, said the suspect told him to "wear red to school, which he thought meant the suspect intended on carrying out the threat against the school."
Detective say back on September 29 the suspect asked another student if he would sell a Colt .45 handgun to him.
Officers say this is not the first time the school district has had issue with this student.
"There was some threats previously when he was in middle school and he was suspended for those threats," Chief Fisher said.
Police said the suspect was arrested at school thanks in large part to students who came forward.
“The school administration and staff acted swiftly and with purpose. Hilliard Police responded with overwhelming support. We are blessed to live in a community with such a strong partnership with our law enforcement officials. We have complete confidence and trust that our local police will continue to work in partnership with us to keep our students safe,” Hilliard City Schools Superintendent John Marschhausen said.
Detectives say that kind of information is critical to help stopping a threat before it becomes deadly.
"The more knowledge we have the better we can respond," Chief Fisher said.
The student faces a felony charge of inducing panic.
Ohio law changed in 2007 regarding the crime preventing it from being expunged from ones record upon conviction.