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KEARNS — Another Utah teen may face charges after threatening violence against a local school — the fifth incident in a week, authorities said.
Police investigated the incident on suspicion of terroristic threats after the teen posted a Snapchat photo with a rifle and warning to "not come to school on Monday," according to an emailed statement from Unified police spokesman Brian Lohrke.
Within an hour of receiving tips about the post, the Unified Police Department identified the poster and confirmed he was a student at Thomas Jefferson Junior High School in Kearns, police said.
Authorities responded to the student's home Sunday where they interviewed the student and his parents. The gun in the picture was an airsoft gun, police said, and there was no immediate threat to the school.
After being interviewed by police, the teen was remanded to his parents' care and awaits administrative action by Granite School District. Police said he could be charged on suspicion of terroristic threats, a third degree felony.
"It is the position of the Unified Police Department that all threats against schools, regardless of the nature, will be treated as real and investigated thoroughly," Lohrke said.
Thomas Jefferson is the fifth Utah school in a week to report similar threats of violence.
1. Police investigated an unfounded threat of violence against Timpanogos High School that circulated on Snapchat Thursday night.
Officers identified and interviewed the Snapchatter and determined the post was not a credible threat. The student had no access to any firearms but was immediately suspended from school, police said. She may also be charged with a misdemeanor.
2. A Springville High School student was arrested Thursday on suspicion of making a terroristic threat after police said the student sent a social media post that suggested a threat of violence at the school.
He was booked into Slate Canyon Detention Center following an interview and investigation.
3. A Wasatch High School student was taken into custody Wednesday night after a classmate notified authorities that the student had threatened gun violence on social media.
4. A student at Eastmont Middle School in Sandy posted a comment on social media Tuesday, threatening to shoot up the school after a friend was allegedly expelled, according to Sandy Police Sgt. Jason Nielsen.
The student could be cited and may face discipline from the school district, Nielsen said.
Students can report threats of violence using the SafeUT app — an app that students can use as a crisis text and tip line.
Several high schools in Idaho have also received similar threats, while misleading rumors have prompted police investigations.
A rumor circulating at Rigby High School Thursday claimed that one of the students was going to cause harm, according to a Facebook post by the Jefferson County Idaho Sheriff’s Office. Deputies ultimately determined the rumor to be completely unfounded.
School and law enforcement officials at Minidoka County schools received a fourth gun violence threat Wednesday that was shared on social media, according to the Idaho State Journal. The threats do not appear to be credible either.
Officials in Declo, Idaho, also dealt with social media threats for the fourth day in a row after searching for a bomb following a false threat, according to the Times-News. About half the students in the school district were absent Wednesday.
The threats follow the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people died after a former student opened fire during the school day.
