BOZEMAN – The Belgrade Police Department said four students have been charged with felony intimidation for a video that allegedly threatened other students and led to a shelter-in-place at Belgrade High School on Tuesday.
According to a press release, one adult also faces a felony charge of tampering with physical evidence.
The department said it is working to identify and contact the victims mentioned or tagged in the video.
No further information was issued as the incident is still under investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Belgrade Police Department Detective Division at 406-388-4262. Tips can also be emailed to generalinfo@belgradepolice.net.
The adult charged in the incident is due to appear in Gallatin County Justice Court Wednesday.
Schools were put in shelter-in-place status on Tuesday while law enforcement investigated the threat.
The Belgrade School District contacted Belgrade police around 1 p.m. after reports that several students made a video threatening violence toward other students.
Law enforcement has apprehended students believed to be involved in making the video, the release said.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, and the Bozeman Police Department also responded to assist the Belgrade Police Department.
Belgrade Police Chief EJ Clark commended the school district for reporting the threat promptly, adding: “We had a great response from everybody.”
After the high school was put on alert, Belgrade Schools Superintendent Godfrey Saunders placed Heck Quaw Elementary, Saddle Peak Elementary and Belgrade Middle School in a precautionary shelter-in-place.
“Our No. 1 mission was to keep kids safe and dispel rumors as best we could,” Saunders said.
Clark and Saunders both urged students to think about their actions as all threats will be taken seriously by the schools and law enforcement.
