UPDATE: Laurel Student Threatened to 'Shoot and Kill Others,' Police Say

Updated below.

A Laurel High School student has been hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation after threatening to commit acts of violence and "possibly shoot and kill others," according to a city official.

Pete Piringer, a spokesman for the City of Laurel, said the alleged threats were first brought to the attention of a teacher on Monday by concerned classmates. 

That information was passed to a school security official, who then notified the Laurel Police Department.

Investigators found the student's statements to be a "credible threat," Piringer said, in part because he was believed to have access to guns.

Police contacted his parents and soon located the student, who was admitted to an area hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

"This is a classic case of 'See something, say something,'" Piringer said, noting that the threats were made off of campus.

"[Police Chief Rich McLaughlin] believes this resulted in the prevention of a possibly very dangerous situation," he added.

An investigation is ongoing. The age of the student has not been released.

Many school districts—including Prince George's County Public Schools—have increased security measures and remained on a heightened state of awareness since Friday's mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.

Update, 4:03 p.m. Wednesday

Alvin L. Crawley, interim superintendent for Prince George's County Public Schools, released the following statement to parents on Wednesday:

I extend my thanks for your patience while the investigation of a potential threat at Laurel High School was underway yesterday. The safety of students and staff is of our utmost concern, and we are extremely thankful that Laurel High School students shared their concerns with the proper authorities so that we could work quickly with the Laurel City Police to investigate the matter.

Although the school never faced a direct threat, we must take all such reports seriously to ensure the well-being of our students and staff. Some of you have expressed your concern regarding the communications of this matter to the public; please be assured that we release all information as soon as it is made available by law enforcement officials. To ensure you receive all future emergency notifications, please sign up for the school system's e-Alerts by clicking here.