Arizona Teens Face Felony Charges for School Threats
Recently, several Arizona teens have found themselves facing felony charges after multiple schools reported mass shooting threats being posted online. The police departments in Tucson, Phoenix, Mesa, Buckeye, and Prescott Valley have all issued statements, saying they have been overwhelmed with reports of these social media threats, some of which seem to have originated from outside of Arizona.
At present, 11 teens are facing charges, including both misdemeanors and felonies, for making threats against schools in various cities across Arizona. One of the teens stated that they were dared to make the threat, leading to multiple felony charges, including terroristic threats and computer tampering.
Phoenix
In Phoenix, a teenage boy was arrested for posting mass shooting threats regarding 12 different Valley schools on social media. After his arrest, Phoenix police reported a significant increase in student absences from those schools. The boy allegedly made the threat as part of a dare from a peer group and is now facing charges of terroristic threats and computer tampering.
Mesa
Mesa police identified several children who were involved in making threatening statements about “shooting up” a school. One incident involved a social media threat called “The List” targeting students at Stapley Junior High. A 13-year-old was charged with disrupting an educational facility. Additionally, officers were made aware of a new list of names circulating at the school, leading to an ongoing investigation.
Surprise
The Dysart Unified School District reassured students and parents that online threats circulating were false and not credible. The district linked these posts to hoaxes seen in neighboring school districts.
El Mirage
The El Mirage Police Department received reports of threats in the community but confirmed that they were not linked to any credible danger. Social media threats were investigated and deemed false, with similar posts reported in neighboring districts.
Tucson
Tucson has also dealt with multiple threats targeting schools in the area. Several juveniles, including an 11-year-old and a 15-year-old, were arrested following numerous 911 calls related to social media threats. Additional students were also arrested for various charges related to threats and weapons possession.
Tempe
The Tempe Union High School District is working with law enforcement to investigate threats on Snapchat. At present, these threats do not appear to be credible but are being taken seriously by authorities.
Buckeye
The Buckeye Police Department received over 300 reports of school shooting threats, stemming from an online threat originating in Ohio. Although none of the threats were found to be true, a 13-year-old girl was arrested for making a threat, and another student was arrested for a false report about a gun on campus.
Prescott Valley
In Prescott Valley, a juvenile was arrested for making threats against Liberty Traditional School. Police confirmed that there was no actual danger, but to ensure safety, an additional officer was stationed at the school.
Threats Disrupt Student Learning
Recent events highlight the need for increased school security and awareness of the impact of threats on students and communities. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate possible threats, emphasizing the importance of quick and proactive responses to ensure student safety.
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