Plot fears draw police to mid school

The Albuquerque Public Schools district is moving forward with the process to expel two students linked to a perceived plot to shoot up Hoover Middle School.

The story surfaced on Wednesday and brought a large police presence to the campus on Thursday.

Also on Thursday students were given orange flyers to take home that said a student brought a document to the office that contained threats. It also said the district is evaluating the threat and taking it seriously.

A total of three Hoover students--one each in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades--were involved and are currently on suspension.

But APS says the principal has recommended that only two of them face a hearing for long-term suspension and possibly expulsion.

In the meantime students, parents and staff can expect more of what they saw on Thursday: lots of police on the campus on Tivoli Avenue NE near Comanche Road and Tramway Boulevard.

In fact the Albuquerque Police Department Foothill Area Command held its morning briefing at the school.

APS says the investigation into the possible plot involves a drawn diagram of the school and cryptic messages about guns and money. However that's not shown the threat to be credible, and the students involved did not have access to weapons, an APS spokesperson said.

Even so it was on the minds of parents and students who came to school Thursday. Some parents said they have noticed a trend of these situations at Albuquerque area schools.

An APS spokesperson could not say which of the three students will be subject to the hearing for long-term suspension or expulsion.

APS police reports will not be available until next week.

APS has brought in counselors for students to talk to.