After assessing a chaotic situation, the Cody Police Department has deemed there was no credible threat to Cody High School after the school was put into lockdown on Wednesday morning (April 5) due to a social media post.
At 7:51 a.m. Wednesday, Park County School District #6 Superintendent Vernon Orndorff sent a message to all district parents saying a “direct threat” had been made to Cody High School. As a result, the school went into lockdown, and students already on campus were sheltering in place. Cody Middle School went into lockdown shortly after.
The Cody Police Department quickly responded and provided support on campus within minutes.
At 8:15 a.m., Superintendent Orndorff sent another district-wide message declaring the threat was determined to be “not credible.” Cody High School & Cody Middle School returned to their regular Wednesday schedules.
The source of the threat was a several-year-old social media post made in Clovis, New Mexico, which included “CHS.” A student from a neighboring school district saw the post and thought it was targeted at Cody High School and sent it to a CHS student, who then reported it to local law enforcement.
Park County School District #6 acted according to its processes and procedures for such situations to ensure the safety of students.
There was and is no threat to any Cody students or schools.
This is the second time in one week Cody High School has been thrown into chaos because of a social media threat of violence.
On Monday, April 3, Cody High School was put in lockdown after another social media threat. However, this threat was part of a statewide “swatting” incident. Similar threats were made to high schools in Powell, Rock Springs, Casper, Cheyenne, Sheridan, and Gillette the same morning, prompting similar responses.
False reporting is a misdemeanor in Wyoming, punishable by up to six months in jail and $750 in fines.
