Police and Homeland Security officials are examining a suspicious letter sent to Morningside Elementary that mentioned a terrorist group.
Atlanta police have the letter that arrived at the school Tuesday.
It included a reference to a terror organization and a drawing made with permanent marker.
Morningside Elementary is located in northeast Atlanta off East Rock Springs Road.
Channel 2 Action News learned someone sent the letter to the school in the regular mail Tuesday.
As soon as the staff read it they contacted Atlanta Public Schools officials who immediately brought in school police and the Atlanta Police Department's Homeland Security unit.
Channel 2’s Erica Byfield spoke to an APD spokesman who did not want to discuss specifics in the letter, but said investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the letter was sent as a hoax.
“There was some information that was inside of the letter that was concerning to our Homeland Security unit. We are in the process to work with our federal process to determine the origin of the letter,” said Atlanta police Officer Ralph Woolfolk.
The police are using their own resources, in addition to resources from outside agencies. They did tell Byfield that as a result of what’s written in the letter, they've decided to step up patrols in the area. They are also working with federal leaders to figure out who is behind the letter.
ATLANTA — "Our investigators are trying to sort out all the facts and work with our federal partners to determine an origin of that letter," Woolfolk said. "Our school detective unit, as well as patrol officers, are increasing patrols and they are conducting drop-ins at the school at this time."
The principal of the school sent a letter to parents about the incident. In that letter she stressed the need for all visitors to report to the main office.
WSBTV