Report of threat puts West Jordan High in brief lockdown

WEST JORDAN — West Jordan High School was temporarily placed on lockdown Monday because of concerns over a 17-year-old student who reportedly told a relative "he could relate" to the recent school shooting tragedies.

The school at 8040 S. Redwood Road was placed on lockdown while police searched for the student. It was lifted about 20 minutes later when he was found, said West Jordan police officer J.C. Holt.

The teen did not have any weapons and was not arrested. He was referred to the Jordan School District, which will determine if the teen's statements rise to the level of a safe schools violation, according to West Jordan police.

The incident began Monday morning when police received a call from a concerned relative who "felt pretty strongly" that the boy posed a threat to the school based on conversations with him, Holt said. The relative said the teen had been suffering from "mental health-related issues," he said.

Police declined Monday to give details about the teen's comments or whether he directly threatened to shoot anyone.

Officers went to the school to find the boy. When he wasn't in the classes he was supposed to be, they put the school in lockdown

"We were concerned over it. We'd rather be safe than sorry," Holt said.

The incident remained under investigation Monday.

— Pat Reavy, Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam