A spate of posts containing threats targeting schools in three area counties has led to arrests and statements from law enforcement and school officials addressing safety concerns.

Two juvenile boys were charged in a three-day span in Glasgow with second-degree terroristic threatening, a felony offense, after the Glasgow Police Department became aware of threatening messages.

The first incident concerned a threat at Glasgow High School on Tuesday when a male made references to having a firearm and threatened to “shoot it up” while wearing a ski mask.

GPD arrested a 13-year-old male on Thursday on charges of second-degree terroristic threatening, menacing and second-degree disorderly conduct after collaborating with Glasgow Middle School during the investigation of a threat he reportedly made to “shoot up the elementary school,” Glasgow police said.

On Thursday, GPD said it had been made aware of threats circulating on social media, and investigations found none of the threats to be credible, but additional police units would be at Glasgow schools as a precautionary measure.

Glasgow Independent Schools said it began working with law enforcement immediately after learning of the potential threats and that no students were in harm’s way.

Caverna Independent Schools were closed Friday after schools officials were made aware overnight of a possible threat to Caverna High School on a gaming platform.

Caverna Superintendent Amanda Abell said in a social media post Friday that the threat was under investigation and information had been sent to the FBI and Kentucky State Police.

The Barren County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that it had been investigating several social media posts regarding safety concerns at local schools, collaborating with Barren County Schools, Kentucky State Police and the Glasgow Police Department in its efforts.

The sheriff’s office said it identified the sources of the threatening posts and was working on filing criminal charges against those responsible, who BCSO said were all juveniles.

The police activity led to the Barren County, Glasgow and Caverna school district superintendents collaborating with the leaders of the Barren County, Glasgow, Cave City and Horse Cave police departments to issue a safety letter to parents on Thursday addressing the situation and encouraging parents to report any concerns directly to school officials or law enforcement instead of posting about them to social media.

“When it comes to communicating with families, school officials prioritize getting information to parents as quickly as possible, but was also want to be sure the information we are providing is accurate,” said the letter, posted Thursday to social media. “In situations involving potential safety threats, it’s important to avoid sharing unverified details that could cause unnecessary panic or spread misinformation. This process may take a bit of time, but it ensures that parents receive clear, reliable updates they can trust.”

The letter urged parents to monitor their children’s social media use “to ensure they aren’t exposed to harmful content or misleading narratives” and reminded students that online threats can result in serious legal consequences.

“Even if the threat is made in jest or without intent to carry it out, law enforcement takes such actions seriously,” the letter said. “We understand that concerns about the safety of your children, both in and out of school, are always on the minds of parents, and it’s natural to feel worried at times. However, it’s important that we do not let fear dictate our lives or overshadow the positive experiences our children gain at school each day. Open communication and a united effort to address safety concerns will help us protect our children and allow them to thrive.”

The letter also listed several safety protocols being practiced at the schools and publicized the statewide STOP Tipline that can be used to report a safety concern.

Law enforcement in Allen County also investigated a threat made to Allen County Schools on Thursday.

The Allen County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post that a suspect has been identified and located by law enforcement and that local law enforcement will increase its presence at the schools, while encouraging students and parents to continue their school preparation routine on Friday.

In Hart County, law enforcement is stepping up its presence there after the investigation of an online threat.

On Thursday, the Hart County Sheriff’s Department posted a message from Hart County Schools on social media making people aware of the investigation of a SnapChat post being shared locally that made a “non-specific threat.”

The school district said an investigation by the sheriff’s office and Kentucky State Police determined that the post circulating at local schools originated in Michigan and there was no threat to any schools.

“We continue to ask parents to educate your children on the severity of posting or sharing threatening material,” one post from Hart County Schools said Thursday. “Hart County Schools has zero tolerance for such behavior. This type of behavior will be acted on immediately and vigorously regardless of intent.”

Investigations into various threats at schools across Kentucky prompted a joint response Thursday from Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. and Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher.

The statement urged parents to talk with their children about the dangers and consequences of posting threatening messages online and about the importance of reporting concerning information to an adult.