Students respond to Millard South High School hoax threat

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Students got a wake-up call when a threat at Millard South High School brought back bad memories for some.

Once it was determined that the situation was no longer a threat, many parents came to pick up their children to leave for the day. That was the case for a pair of sisters, sophomore Miliana Reed and senior Mariah Miller.

It took some time to calm Mom down, knowing what happened at Millard South more than a decade ago.

“She was terrified,” Mariah said. “She knew about the director and ultimately what happened from beginning to end.”

In 2011, a Millard South student who had been suspended for destroying the track and football field with his car returned to school with a gun. He burst into the assistant principal’s office and fatally shot Vicki Kaspar. The teen shot the director three times and fled.

“My mom started school around that time,” Mariah said. ‘She knew exactly what happened. She told us about it. She said, ‘I don’t want this to be a repeat for you girls.’”

When Monday’s threat arrived at the school, the 2,400 students immediately began following the plan. Go to a safe room and wait while the police do their work. Previous generations prepared for a possible nuclear war. This generation is preparing for school shooters.

For some students, more current history came to mind. Last month, a 14-year-old was arrested for shooting another student at Omaha Northwest High School.

“Everyone took it seriously,” Miliana said. “It’s scary because it happened in Northwest. Scary things.”

Ultimately, the chief inspector ruled it a hoax and everyone was safe. When the lockdown ended, classes resumed, but many parents picked up their children and took them home. Omaha police continue to investigate where the first call came from.

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