Breaking News: A 14-year-old student has been apprehended by the Surprise Police Department for allegedly making online threats that posed a risk of violence at Valley Vista High School.
According to authorities, a school resource officer took the student into custody on Sept. 9. The student reportedly confessed to making the threats as a result of a dare and was found to be unarmed.
The juvenile has been charged with disorderly conduct and making threats, and the police are urging anyone with further information about the incident to contact Surprise police at (623-222.4000).
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Discover “The Valley”: Phoenix Metropolitan Area
The Phoenix Metropolitan Area, nicknamed “The Valley,” is the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest, comprising major cities like Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Surprise, Peoria, Gilbert, El Mirage, Avondale, Litchfield Park, Goodyear, and Buckeye. Whether a city falls under the “East Valley” or “West Valley” category depends on its proximity to Phoenix.
With a combined population of 4,845,832 according to the 2020 U.S. Census, The Valley ranks as the 11th largest metropolitan area in the country. The hub of this area is Maricopa County, which is the 4th most populous county in the United States, housing 4,485,414 residents.
Maricopa County is vast, covering 9,224 square miles and hosting a diverse range of attractions, including an extensive park system that sprawls over 120,000 acres, offering trails, nature centers, and campgrounds for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
The county’s seat, Phoenix, doubles as the state capital and is recognized as the 5th most populous city in the nation. The county’s name pays homage to the Maricopa Native American Tribe, also known as Piipaash.
