Lehigh County student allegedly threatened to 'shoot up' high school

An Allentown high school student is in jail for allegedly threatening to shoot up his school and hold a class hostage.

Tha Rin, 18, of the 1800 block of Whitehall Street in the city, was arrested Thursday and charged with making terroristic threats and harassment.

He is being held in Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Allentown police said three students reported Thursday morning they heard Rin make the threats in an Allen High School class.

Rin reportedly said he would "shoot up" the school and hold the class hostage with an AK-47 and C4 plastic explosive. The three witnesses left the class to report the threats to a school resource officer, police said.

Rin and the resource officer met officers at the police station.

Rin reportedly admitted talking about guns, but denied saying anything about shooting people or taking hostages.

Takecia Saylor, director of communications for the Allentown School District, said over the past several days the district has been reviewing its safety plan with staff and students, so that they can protect themselves and those around them.

"We take very seriously the safety of our students and staff," she said.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

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