A former Butler School District student was arrested Friday in Allegheny County after allegedly posting a threat against the district online.

South Fayette Township Police Chief John Phoennik said Bryan Flecken, 28, who lives in the township, was arrested Friday and charged with terroristic threats. Phoennik said Flecken had been taken to the Allegheny County Jail to be booked on the single misdemeanor charge. Online court documents did not list bail or an attorney for Flecken.

Phoennik said the single charge against Flecken was filed after Bridgeville police notified his department that they were investigating Flecken because of a Facebook post.

Police went to Flecken's home and searched his phone with permission, Phoennik said, and found a “specific threat” against Butler School District. Phoennik could not recount the exact wording of the threat, but said it came as Flecken was talking to a pair of BASD alumni. He said Flecken stated that he was going to “buy some guns and shoot up the school.”

Phoennik said the comment came on the same day a gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.

It was not immediately clear where on Facebook — on his wall, in the comments section of a post, or in a direct or group message — Flecken made the alleged threat.

Phoennik said police searched Flecken's home and vehicle, and spoke to his family, and determined that he has no access to weapons.

“His father has a BB gun,” Phoennik said.

Police also found no evidence that Flecken owns a gun.

Flecken, Phoennik said, told police that the threatening post amounted to “an off-color remark to his friends, just joking around or whatever, and he regrets it.”

Nevertheless, Phoennik said, police filed the charge against him because of a “zero tolerance policy” for online threats.

“Every reasonable person should know today that you can't go on social media and make a threat, no matter how vague it is,” Phoennik said. “We're going to err on the side of caution whenever these things happen.”

He said the department's investigation into Flecken's online activity continues, and police intend to secure a search warrant to further examine his phone. If more threats are found, he said, more charges could be filed.

Flecken graduated from Butler School District in 2008.

District Superintendent Brian White said he was informed about the incident at 4 p.m. Friday.

The FBI also responded as part of the investigation.

In an email to parents on Friday White praised police's swift response after learning of the alleged threat.

“We don't know all of the details, we are grateful to all law enforcement for their quick actions,” White's email reads.

He also urged people to come forward with tips whenever they come across something troubling.

“As always, if you see or hear anything concerning, please report it immediately to law enforcement and the school district,” White's email reads.

White told the Eagle classes will be held on Monday.

“He's in custody. We have 19 police officers. We'll be vigilant like we are every day. There's an extra sense of urgency with everyone,” White said.

He said each student in grades 4 through 12 goes through metal detectors everyday when they enter their schools and officers work in every school.

Note: Eagle Staff Writer Steve Ferris contributed to this report.