'A normal day' at Triton despite death threats, police presence

by John Paul (jpaul@wsbt.com)

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A strong police presence could be seen at Triton Jr.-Sr. High School in Bourbon Wednesday, after death threats found in the school mentioned November 19, 2008. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Nov 19, 2008 at 6:11 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 19, 2008 at 7:14 PM EST

BOURBON — Death threats didn't stop classes at Triton Jr.-Sr. High School in Bourbon Wednesday. The first message came on Election Day, then two more followed.

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A strong police presence could be seen on campus Wednesday. Sheriffs from Marshall and Kosciusko counties were on one side of the school. Several state and local police officers were on another side.

“A normal day; no big climax, luckily," said Triton School Corporation Supt. Carl Hilling. "That's what we wanted."

“Obviously, what we're worried about today is just prevention,” said Indiana State Police Sgt. Trent Smith.

Officers served as a visual deterrent.

“We did have a K-9 corps in today — they were looking for weapons, they searched lockers and searched the building today," Hilling said.

"We're hoping with the police presence out here today that if somebody had that idea in their head, it was running through their head, they might see the cars out here and think twice," Smith explained.

Triton attendance officials say the majority of students decided to stay home Wednesday. The student parking lot sat relatively empty.

School attendance was down district wide by 50 percent.

“Some kept them home and I can't blame them," Hilling said. "But I can appreciate the ones who sent [their kids] today because probably if any day this would have been the safest day of the year."

“You can't give into them," added Bourbon resident Dale Schaetzel. "If they wouldn't have had school [today], they would've done it again."

It was a day without incident.

"No intimidation; only appreciation that the police were there. It was calm, orderly," Hilling said. "We take all threats seriously. There's always that 95 percent chance that somebody wanted the day off — that's what happens. That's what happened today. At least it appeared that's what happened today."

State police continue investigating. There are no new leads or persons of interest.

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