Austintown Fitch student arrested for inducing panic

AUSTINTOWN

A Fitch High School student was arrested Thursday morning for inducing panic, after making a threat in school of planned violence.

Fitch had been on heightened security measures due to another, separate online threat made earlier this week.

School officials reported that the online threat was investigated by Austintown police, but found to be not credible and no one was arrested.

The Thursday threat “may have been overheard in the cafeteria,” the school district said in a news release.

Lt. Tom Collins said it hasn’t been determined in the investigation if the incidents are connected. Specific details of the threats, including the age of the student, were not provided by police or the school district.

Austintown Superintendent Vince Colaluca encouraged students, parents and staff not to believe everything they read on Facebook. He explained that safety protocols were properly followed, addressing the issue early on.

School officials said in the news release that there is no current threat to any students or staff.

“The Austintown School District and the Austintown Police Department will always work together to provide a safe environment on campus,” Colaluca said. “There is no credible threat to our schools. Please have confidence in our police and school staff that we are doing everything in our power to provide a safe learning environment.”