Charges coming over chat room Seaholm threat

The Oakland County Prosecutor is expected to file charges against a person who made threats directed at Birmingham Seaholm High Schools in an online chat room last November.

Birmingham Seaholm High School principal Kyle Hall notified parents on Thursday, February 22, by email, that police in November alerted the school that an individual had made threats against Seaholm in a social chat room while playing an online game, and a player from another state notified authorities, who began an investigation within minutes.

Hall said the email letter was being sent out even though many students and their families are currently on mid-winter vacation, due to the school assault in Parkland, Florida, and subsequent events and discussions, and the recognition of the need of making the community aware of serious threats.

“I want to share with you information about a serious incident that involved our school,” Hall began the message. “In November, we were alerted by police that an individual, with no affiliation to Seaholm, made threats against the school in a social chat room while playing an online game. An individual from another state who was in the virtual chat room at the time reported the incident. During the police investigation, which began within minutes of the report, the police paid the suspect a home visit. This person admitted to the threat as a way to get attention on the chat room, and he named Seaholm as the school involved. The person is an adult with no prior history of criminal behavior.”

The information had not previously been released as it was an ongoing police investigation with no indication there was an imminent threat to the school. Administration was notified at the time that the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office would be hearing the case, and would be informed of specifics.

“In cases where the police are the ones receiving the report, following up and investigating, Birmingham Public Schools is limited by what we may release. We have now received word of the progression of events, and we wish to inform you that the case has now made its way to the county prosecutor’s office. Charges are expected,” Hall wrote. “I know I can count on us all to work together to encourage our young people to report anything suspicious or threatening in nature that they observe. We will take their concerns seriously and investigate appropriately.”