Two suspects will be back in court Tuesday on charges for threatening to shoot up a Whitmore Lake school building.

18-year-old Eric Gordon Deaton and 17-year-old Michael Gage Perks, both of Whitmore Lake, are charged with false report or threat of terrorism, a felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. A probable cause conference for both is set for 8:30am Tuesday in 14-A Washtenaw County District Court. Northfield Township Police received information March 13th from Superintendent Tom DeKeyser regarding a threat to “shoot up a school building” within the district, which was forced to close its building the following day as officers investigated.

Deaton (left) and Perks (right), along with two other teens, were identified as suspects. A firearm was later recovered as part of the investigation. Charges were denied against a third subject, 17-year-old male, while a 16-year-old juvenile was released pending further investigation. All of the suspects are current or past students of Whitmore Lake schools. (JK)