WILLMAR — The Willmar School District canceled all classes and activities on April 7, 2024, after receiving a reported threat to school safety. The decision followed the discovery of a threatening letter at Willmar Middle School the previous afternoon, which named specific staff members and referenced school buildings.

On April 6 at approximately 3:49 p.m., Assistant Principal Amy Sack notified Superintendent Bill Adams about the letter. Adams contacted the Willmar Police Department via the non-emergency line, prompting an immediate internal review by school staff, including checks of surveillance footage and interviews with students still in the building. An emergency meeting of district leaders convened around 6:30 p.m. led to the cancellation of school the next day.

“There was just no way we were willing to risk school safety and the safety of our students,” Adams said. The Willmar Police Department conducted a full-building sweep of Willmar Middle School shortly before 8 a.m. on April 7, checking for explosives or incendiary devices. Multiple unmarked law enforcement vehicles were seen at the school that morning.

A skeleton crew of administrators and staff, including Adams, assisted police by reviewing video footage, searching lockers, and analyzing handwriting to help identify suspects. The first juvenile was arrested by 11:40 a.m., and the third and final suspect was taken into custody around 6 p.m. Police informed Adams of the final arrest, and by 8 p.m., families were notified that school would resume on April 8.

Adams said the consequences for the three juveniles, including possible suspension and expulsion, remained pending as police continued their investigation. According to Capt. Michael Anderson of the Willmar Police Department, teachers who spoke with investigators were “surprised” to learn which students were arrested, as they recalled no negative interactions and did not believe the students held serious animosity. Anderson said, “They all know their kids. It would have been impossible to do this investigation without their help.” Both Adams and Anderson stated that none of the juveniles ever intended to carry out the written threats. Students and staff received counseling following the incident. Adams said that although the investigation determined there was no real threat, “the impact on the school and Willmar community was very real.”

The district communicated updates in Spanish, Somali, and Karen through written releases and recorded voice memos.