Several Cincinnati-area schools named in online threats, Mount Healthy schools closed

At least one Cincinnati-area school district is closed and others have heightened security in response to shooting threats posted to social media.

Mt. Healthy City Schools is closed Thursday while investigators look into the credibility of the threats suggesting violence against a list of local schools, according to police.

"We cannot verify the validity of this threat as we do not have sufficient time to complete a full investigation before school begins tomorrow morning," the district said in a letter to families Wednesday.

At least four other school districts said they would hold classes with increased police presence Thursday as a precaution amid similar investigations, including Cincinnati Public Schools, Princeton City Schools, Northwest Local Schools and Lakota Local Schools.

"Cincinnati Public Schools is aware of a social media threat made against several area schools. CPS takes all threats seriously, implements immediate security protocols and reports every incident to the Cincinnati Police Department for investigation and continued support," CPS said in a statement.

"The District is taking extra precautions as the safety of students and staff is of paramount importance," the statement reads, adding social workers and school counselors will be available Thursday to offer students additional support.

Princeton City Schools said each of its school buildings had been checked Wednesday and will be checked throughout the day Thursday for suspicious activity.

The threats came less than 24 hours after four people were killed Wednesday when a 14-year-old student allegedly opened fire at a high school in rural Georgia.

School officials said local law enforcement and the FBI are conducting investigations into the cyber threat. Anyone with information about a possible threat is urged to contact the Ohio School Safety Center tipline at 844-723-3764.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: School shooting threat on social media names several Ohio schools