UPDATE 4/29/16

ATHENS COUNTY , Ohio (WSAZ) -- Authorities now say they believe a threat that closed all public schools in Athens County on Friday was not directed to Athens or Ohio University.

According to a press release from Athens City Police, OU Police and the Athens County Sheriff, OU Police received a report early Friday morning that an anonymous video threatening the safety of “American students” has been posted to a location-based social media app called Yeti.

Police released a screen capture of the threat which reads, “#Tomorrow American #students will #die. Some of u are ok. Don’t go to school tomorrow.” A picture of finger on the trigger of a handgun is part of the screen shot image.

The app allows users to post and view images associated with college-based user groups.

The agencies say they originally believed that the post was made to the “Ohio University” group, which tied the threat to Athens, but they now say this was not the care.

Police say users of Yeti can monitor key words in posts which will cause material to appear in their feed that is not associated with group to which they belong.

The investigation found that the threatening video was posted by a user in Europe who is not affiliated with any group on Yeti.

Although the complainant belonged to the Ohio University” group, the video appeared in the complainants’ feed based on key words, not location.

UPDATE 4/29/16 @ 9:40 a.m.

ATHENS COUNTY , Ohio (WSAZ) -- Police in Athens County have released details of a threat that closed all public schools in Athens County, Ohio on Friday.

According to a press release from Athens City Police, OU Police and the Athens County Sheriff, OU Police received a report early Friday morning that an anonymous video threatening the safety of “American students” has been posted to a location-based social media app called yeti.

The app allows users to post and view images associated with college-based user groups.

The agencies say the threatening video was posted to the "Ohio University” group, which allows users to affiliate with the Athens campus.

Police released a screen capture of the threat which reads, “#Tomorrow American #students will #die. Some of u are ok. Don’t go to school tomorrow.” A picture of finger on the trigger of a handgun is part of the screen shot image.

The release says local law enforcement shared the information with Athens County school personnel, who in an abundance of caution, closed area schools. Ohio University remains open, and commencement will continue as scheduled, but additional police staffing and increased security measures will be in place.

The FBI is assisting local law enforcement, who are working to evaluate the credibility of the threat. The investigation is ongoing.

Keep clicking on WSAZ mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest information.

ORIGINAL STORY 4/29/16 @ 8:40 a.m;

ATHENS COUNTY , Ohio (WSAZ) -- All public schools in Athens County, Ohio are closed Friday following an ‘unspecified threat’ toward American students.

The districts closed are Athens City Schools, Alexander Local Schools, Federal Hocking, Nelsonville-York Schools, Tri County Career Center and Trimble Schools.

Athens City Schools Superintendent Tom Gibbs announced the closure for his district in a phone message sent to parents early Friday morning.

“Moments ago, local law enforcement officials contacted me to make me aware of a threat that was made against American students. I cannot share at this time the specifics of the threat. Given the short time frame in which to respond to this threat and in order to assure the safety and security of our students, I feel it is necessary to cancel school today. “

According to Federal Hocking Local Schools Facebook page, “We have been asked by law enforcement to close school today due to an unspecified threat that was received. I want to be clear that the threat was not directed to Federal Hocking specifically, but law enforcement felt it would be best to ask schools in the area to close and we have as have many others. We are sorry for the inconvenience."

The Athens Messenger reports that according to the Athens County Sheriff, Rodney Smith, the sheriff’s office became aware of a generalized threat that was “produced” locally around Athens toward American students. Smith told the paper the threat was discovered around 5 a.m.; and his office was notified about 6 a.m.

In some cases, students were already on buses heading towards school when the announcement was made. Students were then returned home.

The Athens County Sheriff's Office tells WSAZ that the Sheriff has contacted the FBI, and the OU Police Department to help handle the case.

Details of the alleged threat have not been released.

Keep clicking on WSAZ mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest information.