WASHINGTON — Several students were pulled out of class Thursday at a Frederick County, Maryland, high school because of what they wrote in text messages.

Police say Brunswick High School students were involved in a text message string that mentioned carrying out a school shooting. The students were removed from class and the school contacted their parents, according to a letter from the school’s assistant principals.

Police say the students involved said they were joking with each other and did not intend to carry out a school shooting.

Michael Doerrer with Frederick County Public Schools says administrators investigated and determined that there was no legitimate threat to the school.

Administrators plan to follow up with disciplinary action.

Doerrer says the school system must take seriously and investigate any talk, texts or social media posts that could be perceived as a threat.