Alton teen charged in school bomb threats

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ALTON — An Alton teen was charged Monday for calling in a September bomb threat that led to the evacuation of both Alton High School and Alton Middle School.

Kiyree D. Collins, 19, of Alton was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct by Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office for knowingly transmitting reports that a bomb was present on the campus of Alton High School and Alton Middle School on Sept. 19. Bail was set at $200,000 by Judge Richard Tognarelli, and Collins is presently being held in Alton City Jail.

On Sept. 19, Alton High School received a telephone call from a male subject who reported a bomb being present at the school, per a release from the Alton Police Department. Later that same afternoon, the Alton Middle School received a similar report of a bomb being present on the Alton Middle School campus.

As a result, both schools were evacuated and the remainder of the school day was canceled. AHS students were relocated to Heartland Baptist Church and the AHS Athletic Complex. Students at Alton Middle School were taken to Main Street Methodist and Calvary Baptist churches.

Authorities were eventually able to deem the schools safe with no explosive devices being located. Authorities were assisted in their search by several area K-9 handlers and their K-9 partners.

Alton Police Department investigators and investigators from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office worked together to identify the subject who called in both bomb threats. Alton Police Chief Jason “Jake” Simmons commended the actions of everyone involved in the evacuations and subsequent investigation.

“We take any threat very seriously and I am proud of the joint efforts by both police agencies involved in this investigation,” Simmons said. “I am also thankful for all the area K-9 handlers who responded to help us ensure the schools were safe as well as the area churches who assisted in the evacuation process. The Alton School District students, staff, and parents did an excellent job maintaining order and calm in the wake of what is a scary situation when someone makes such a disturbing threat.”