CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Chillicothe teen is in jail today after police responded to Chillicothe Middle School Monday on reports of a suspicious person.
Officers with the Chillicothe Police Department went to the middle school shortly after 3:00 p.m.
Reports say that Marley Smith, 18, of Chillicothe, had a nerf gun shaped like an AR-15 rifle. Several community members, including law enforcement, saw Smith running toward the students with the nerf gun as they exited the school.
According to officers, Marley Smith stated he was chasing a “John Doe Spy” into Yoctangee Park. Officers questioned Smith to determine if he was in the right state of mind. Smith went on to tell police that he was a “Renartical” forces officer.
Marley Smith was arrested at the scene. As Smith was being arrested, he made suicidal threats and threatened to kill a Ross County Sheriff’s Deputy who was a resource officer for the district.
Marley Smith faces felony inducing panic charges as a result of the incident. He is scheduled to be arraigned in court on Tuesday, February 15.
If you or someone you know is suffering from thoughts of self-harm, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the United States is available 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255.