Teen arrested for alleged online threats against 12 Valley schools

PHOENIX — A teenager has been arrested for allegedly making threats against a dozen Valley schools.

Phoenix police officials say they learned of the threat of a mass shooting involving 12 Valley schools on September 12 via social media.

That day, police visited the affected schools and reported that all students and staff were safe.

Detectives began investigating the incidents and were able to identify a teenager who made the threat.

On Thursday, the boy was arrested and questioned.

The teenager reportedly admitted to being involved and said the threat was “made following a challenge from a group of peers.”

Because he is a minor, his name has not been released. He has been incarcerated in a juvenile correctional facility for numerous offenses, including terrorist threats and computer tampering.

Due to the threat, affected schools recorded approximately 6,000 student absences in the days following the threat, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

Several other Arizona school districts have recently faced online threats.

The Prescott Valley Police Department arrested a juvenile on Friday for making threats against Liberty Traditional School. Police say an investigation determined there was no actual danger to students or staff.

On Thursday, Mesa police announced six incidents at East Valley schools in the past seven days.

Phoenix police officials provided the following message regarding online threats:

To all involved in these types of scenarios, if you are faced with a threat of any kind, please report it to the police and in these cases, school personnel. Do not repost the threat on any social media platform. Reposting these threats complicates an overall criminal investigation and can lead to false information being spread on social media. When authorities are contacted, school administration and law enforcement work together to ensure the safety of those involved and to begin the investigation of the threats. School personnel will reach out to parents to provide information regarding the threat and what parents and students need to know. This is when parents and their students should communicate the importance of reporting these circumstances and not spreading the threat.