Police Question Students After Racial Threat at St. Joseph's High School

by Leanne Tokars (ltokars@wsbt.com)

Tools

Police Question Students After Racial Threat at St. Joseph's High School

Some students at St. Joseph's High School in South Bend hung a banner that read "Everyone is Welcome" in response to a note that was found in the school last week threatening six black students.

By WSBT News1

(WSBT) Police questioned several students at St. Joseph’s High School Monday as they try to track down the person who wrote a note threatening six black students.

A custodian found the note Wednesday in a stairwell at the school.

Some students had planned a walk-out Monday in support of the black students who were threatened. Instead, students chose to hang their support from the walls. A banner signed by several students says everyone is welcome at their school.

“We're a very unified community. I think the students were just as saddened with the news of the note as I was, and shocked,” said St. Joseph’s High School Principal Susan Richter.

While police won't go into detail, they say the note contains a vague threat and a racial slur targeting six black students.

‘That's disappointing but that's society today. You could go any place and find an individual that's prejudiced or whatever. It's unfortunate, so we deal with it the best we can,” said the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend spokesman Vince LaBarbera, after learning about the letter Friday.

Richter notified the student body Monday morning over the school’s announcement system. She also says she is sending home a letter to parents.

Many were upset they weren't told about the threat sooner, but Richter says she didn't find out until late Thursday afternoon.

Following the chain of command, she says her first priority was to her supervisor, as well as the students involved and their parents.

“I've been here 13 years, and I've never experienced anything like this. This is not representative of our student body. I believe it’s the behavior of one individual and it doesn't speak to what we're about,” exclaimed Richter.

In a letter to the media, Richter released the following statement from the parents of the students involved:

“We feel that Saint Joe has always stood for what is right. The Administration took appropriate steps in dealing with this very serious situation. We feel this is not the norm at Saint Joe and hope it will impact the school in a positive way. We appreciate the support of the Saint Joe community.”

Richter says all students are safe at the school, but they are looking at making some changes. One of those is to have a resource officer at the school on a permanent basis.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 41.9
°
More Weather
More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
60 Minutes
8.00
The Amazing Race 15
9.00
Three Rivers
10.00
Cold Case
11.00
WSBT News
11.30
Paid Programming

Question of The Day

What is your reaction to the shootings at Fort Hood?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.

Today's Mortgage Rates