Gun threat at Eagle Ridge not credible, shooting threats at Rio Rancho Middle ‘dealt with’

Two middle schools have sent out letters to parents this week to make them aware of reports involving guns and shooting threats.

Thursday morning, Rio Rancho Middle School sent a letter stating reports have been received by the school’s administration and thr Safety and Security Department of individual shooting threats made toward some students.

“We want you to know that the incident has been dealt with and appropriate action is being taken,” the letter said. “We certainly understand concerns and want to reassure students, parents and staff that safety is a top priority. We work very hard to keep our school safe and appreciate the students who reported the threats to a trusted adult.”

The letter did not say how the incident was dealt with or what action was taken but did promise that the incident was handled seriously.

“Please know that we will take immediate action against any student involved in threats of this nature and the consequences will be severe,” the letter said. “Threats of this nature create an environment where students and staff feel unsafe. They disrupt the school day and result in countless hours of work to determine their validity and secure the safety of students and staff.”

Rio Rancho Public Schools Communications Director Wyndham Kemsley said the district could not discuss specifics regarding individual student discipline when asked by The Observer how the incident was handled. But Kemsley said there will be consequences.

“We want to reiterate that Rio Rancho Public Schools takes these situations very seriously and students who make threats such as the ones you referenced will face punishments to the fullest extent of the district’s discipline matrix,” Kemsley said.

The RRPS Middle School discipline matrix calls for a 10-day suspension, pending hearing, for school threats, bomb threats, explosives, shooting

threats, false alarm (includes gesturing, written, verbal, electronic and social media).

Wednesday, Eagle Ridge Middle sent a letter reporting a rumor of an older relative of a student planning to bring a firearm to the fall dance that night.

“Our Safety and Security team was notified, and upon investigation we have determined that the rumor is not credible,” the letter said. “We want to assure you that we take these situations very seriously and work hard to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”

The rumor was reported to administration by more than one student.

“We appreciate the students who reported the rumor to members of our staff. Please continue to urge your children to report suspicious activity and rumors that they hear to a trusted adult as soon as they can,” the letter said. “These kinds of rumors and threats are completely unacceptable. They disrupt the learning process and create a sense of fear and anxiety in our school. While this rumor was deemed to be not credible, we want to assure you that student safety is our top priority.”