There was a police presence at C.M. Russell High School during the morning of Sept. 13 that was prompted by initial information about possible threats to schools in the district.

Great Falls Public Schools and the Great Falls Police Department said they received information about possible threats but quickly determined the threats were actually old and unclear threats such as those we have seen before where a social media post is made to create alarm and shared throughout the country. There was briefly some additional law enforcement presence near our schools, but no impact or interruption to our students.”

On Sept. 13, a GFPS student became aware of a social media post and notified school staff, who notified the school resource officer.

“Together, they were able to make a clear determination the concerns were not directed at any of our local schools,” according to GFPD.

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GFPS said that there were rumors circulating at GFPS schools this morning about a possible school shooting.

In working with GFPD, “we quickly discovered these rumors were completely unfounded. They were old messages pulled from the internet concerning schools, several years ago, down south,” according to GFPS.

But, there were two events at CMR this morning that required a GFPD response.

After clearing the initial threat concerns, SROs and uniformed patrol officers responded to the school to assist in an unrelated medical situation. While handling that event, SROs, patrol officers and school staff responded to an unrelated assault at the school, according to GFPD.

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An arrest was made in the assault, according to GFPD.

The school was placed in a class hold during the events so officers and school staff could handle those situations.

According to GFPS, a class hold keeps students in their classrooms conducting class normally until released.

“We are very thankful for our relationship with the GFPS and want the public to know we are very proud of our local students who, in this case, did exactly what was needed. The student saw something of concern and immediately reported it to school staff,” GFPD said in a release. “GFPD and GFPS continue to take threats to our schools and our students seriously. Parents and guardians, please continue to talk with your students about communicating any threatening behavior to a responsible adult.”

Further information on GFPS safety protocol is here.