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Police apprehend student after Snapchat post shuts down Franklin Regional schools

Jacob Tierney
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The student who authorities believe posted a threatening Snapchat photo that shut down the Franklin Regional School District on Friday is in custody, according to Murrysville police.

He is being taken for a mental health evaluation and probably will not be charged with a crime, Chief Thomas Seefeld said.

The district canceled classes and told staff to stay home Friday after seeing the photo of a hand holding a gun on the popular image-sharing social media app with the caption, "It's almost time."

Officers from Murrysville, Turtle Creek and Allegheny County police departments apprehended the student at a Turtle Creek home at about 9 a.m. Friday.

Police did not identify the 17-year-old student, who made the Snapchat post late Thursday. Police were informed of the post within minutes.

There was no direct threat toward students, teachers or staff, Seefeld said.

District officials announced Friday morning that classes were being canceled out of an "abundance of caution" and told all personnel not to show up for work.

The student has been identified and an investigation is ongoing, according to police.

The district would not comment on the threat and directed questions to police, spokeswoman Cara Zanella said.

Nearby school districts took extra precautions Friday after the threat.

Greensburg police said they would increase police presence at Greensburg Salem schools because of the threat at Franklin Regional.

Plum Borough District went on an "external lockdown," heavily restricting who could come and go throughout the day.

The photo was posted the day after a former student killed 17 people at a South Florida high school.

Jacob Tierney is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-836-6646 or jtierney@tribweb.com.