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Teen Charged With Threatening Oakland County School Shooting 'Like Columbine'

HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP (WWJ/AP) - An Oakland County teen is being held without bond after he allegedly threatened a school shooting "like Columbine."

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard says the 14-year-old student, posting online, warned friends to stay home on Monday because he was going to "shoot up" Milford High School in Highland Township — comparing his plans to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in Colorado.

Students who saw the message, on the social media site KIK, told their parents, the parents called police, and the teen was brought in for questioning.

Bouchard said nine firearms — including long guns and handguns — were removed from the teen's Highland Township home.

The boy — who prosecutors say is a self-described loner who suffers from depression and anxiety — was taken to Oakland County Children's Village before appearing in juvenile court Monday afternoon on a charge of making a threat to commit a violent act.

Juvenile Court Referee Karla Mallett ordered the boy held without bond until a pre-trial hearing set for March 9.

"Do I feel that this offense rises to the level of so serious that release would endanger public safety? Yes," Mallett said, in announcing her decision.

"This type of offence is the most serious when it comes to a school setting," Mallett said.

Prosecutor Anthony Marek said that the boy has made similar verbal threats to "shoot up the school" prior to the online post that led to the arrest.

Defense council had requested his release on a tether.

Defense Attorney Scott Grabel said that he understands the charges, but does not believe that there was ever a credible threat to anyone.

"I don't believe he had any intention of carrying it out," Grabel said. "I think he certainly understands what someone allegedly says can be extremely dangerous."

Officials with Huron Valley Schools said the student in question will remain out of school while the criminal investigation takes place. The Huron Valley Schools Student Code of Conduct will be enforced should the student seek to return to class, according to a news release.

"The only positive to take from the situation is the fact that the system worked as it should," Superintendent Jim Baker said, in a statement. "Our students, parents, law enforcement and administrative team all acted appropriately to assure that the threats were not able to be acted upon."

Bouchard concurred, thanking the student who went to their parents about the posting, and the parents for contacting police.

"Those are the right things to happen," he told WWJ Newsradio 950's Zahra Huber. "They're protecting their own safety at and their own school. If you see something, hear something, say something."

No one was hurt.

The teen's name has not been released due to his age.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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