Owasso Students Express Concern After Increase In Threats, Police On Campus

Parents in Owasso were notified of threats being made to the school district and expect to see more police on and around campus.

Since the death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict made international headlines, Owasso Police say threats have been made against the school district and staff.

Owasso police say one of the threatening messages said "I'm coming to the school" and that's what made law enforcement concerned.

Students say they know about the threats, but still feel safe going to school."I know that we have a bunch of officers going around our school and I know that police have been notified," said ninth-grade Owasso student Reese Barber.

A tenth-grade student also spoke with News On 6.

"They just say it they never really go through with anything, and we've got like 40 security guards within the whole school," Ayden Wederski said.

But Owasso 10th grader, Jacob Curry said regardless of an increase in security he still feels uneasy while at school.

"In my opinion, it doesn't really matter how much stuff or how many people you have on guard protecting people," said Curry.

Barber said she feels safe with resource officers around campus.

"They're walking through every single hallway throughout the day, it feels nice to know if something does happen it's going to be caught right away," says Barber.

Wederski noticed officers keeping a closer watch on certain parts of the school.

"They just watch the parking lots mostly during the day now and after school they keep an eye out on parking lot a lot more definitely, they're stricter on truancies or leaving because you aren't supposed to leave in between classes," says Wederski.

Ayden says the routine of going to school and sitting in class is the same, the death of their classmate, Nex Benedict is weighing heavy on everyone.

"It's just normal for at school except for the fact that it bothers everybody, it's tragic what happened," Wederski said.

Owasso Police plans to have extra officers around schools in the near future.

The Oklahoma Counter Terrorism Taskforce has been called to investigate the threats.

Related Coverage:

1. Family Issues Statement About Owasso Student's Identity; Cause Of Death Still To Be Determined
2. Investigation Into The Death Of An Owasso High School Student
3. Funeral Held For 16-Year-Old Owasso Student After Unexpected Death
4. 16-Year-Old Owasso Student Dies At Hospital 1 Day After Fight At High School
5. Owasso Mother Plans Vigil For Nex Benedict With Permission From Family
6. Oklahoma Counter-Terrorism Task Force Investigating Threats Made To Owasso Schools