Investigation underway at Preston Junior High after student falsely claimed to have a weapon

PRESTON – Reports that a student at Preston Junior High School had a weapon are a hoax, authorities say.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call Wednesday that a student claimed to have a weapon on school property. During an investigation, Sheriff Cuylor Stoker tells EastIdahoNews.com those claims turned out to be false.

“We have confirmed that it’s a hoax and that the students are safe,” Stoker says.

EastIdahoNews.com received an anonymous tip Wednesday afternoon that the school was evacuated for a “bomb threat hoax” and that students were being sent home as a precautionary measure.

Stoker provided few details about the situation because the investigation is still underway. He didn’t say anything about a bomb threat, but he denied the tipper’s information that the school was evacuated.

“It was not evacuated,” Stoker says. “The school immediately took actions, secured the people involved and then called law enforcement. We’re in the process of reviewing (what happened).”

No further information was provided.

EastIdahoNews.com will provide updates as we receive them.