January 27, 2011

Quick action on ‘List’

Purchase this image

G ranville school officials said a student has been suspended and an investigation is ongoing into discovery of a so-called “kill list.”

Superintendent Mark Bessen said a 12-year-old seventh-grader has been suspended from school for a list found recently in her notebook.

Parents of the children named on the list were contacted, Bessen said. “If you weren’t called your child’s name was not on the list,” Bessen said.

The threat was being treated seriously and investigated, but had been determined not to be a serious threat of violence against others.

Although it appears the list simply had an unfortunate title, Bessen said school officials had to perform a thorough inquiry. “You have to follow up on these things, you can’t just ignore it,” he said.

The list was found to be more of a compilation of students who irritated the girl, Bessen said. “It was more like a list of people ‘I like’ or ‘I don’t like’ but she chose to use the word ‘kill,’” Bessen said.

The student had been interviewed by High School Principal Scott Bojanich and admitted no threat of actual violence came along with making the list; the student had no history of violent behavior.

Regardless, any threat is taken seriously, Bessen said. “We’re looking to see if there are more people involved; we’re investigating everything,” Bessen said.

The Granville Police Department was informed of the list and has been involved in the investigation, Bessen said.

“The goal is to ensure that we’re proving a safe environment for the children. When people mess that up it has to be dealt with in a very stern and proactive manner,” Bessen said.