PHOENIX — A juvenile has been arrested for allegedly making online threats to shoot up schools in the southwest Valley, according to the Tolleson Police Department.
The threats began circulating on social media last Thursday and included an image of a gun alongside a list of schools in the area.
Investigation determined threats were not credible
Law enforcement and school administrators determined the threats were not credible and assured families that students should not miss school due to the posts.
Following an investigation, police identified and arrested a juvenile suspect who reportedly admitted to making the threats as a hoax. The individual was booked into a juvenile detention center.
Police said the suspect had no means to carry out the threats and emphasized that the incident was not a real danger to the community. The specific schools listed in the threats were not publicly disclosed.
Authorities are urging the public not to repost threats seen on social media, as it can cause unnecessary panic and disruption.
Recent trend of school-related threats
In a separate incident earlier this week, a 13-year-old student allegedly made a false report about guns on the campus of Bales Elementary School in Buckeye, leading to a temporary lockdown.
Law enforcement agencies across the Valley continue to stress the importance of treating all threats seriously while working to distinguish between credible and non-credible incidents.
